... a famous biographer wrote in his diary that he had met his even more famous subject for the first time. But the Great One insulted the biographer-to-be's nationality, and then affronted him when he made a mild and harmless comment.

Who was the biographer or who was the subject? Or if you're feeling generous, both? And the year?

Hint: the famous biographer came from Scotland.

James Boswell was the biographer.
Samuel Johnson the subject.
They met 16 May 1763.

Hooray!!! Ve haf a vinna!!!

When Boswell connived to meet the great man, he asked his friend, at whose home the meeting would take place, to omit that Boswell had just come from Scotland; Johnson had criticized the Scots for being lazy and ignorant. But his friend, to tease him, mentioned it first thing. Johnson said, in not too friendly a manner, "That, Sir, I find, is what a great many of your fellow-countrymen cannot help". (This meant, I suppose, that too many emigrant were coming to London.)

During the same visit, Johnson reprimanded Boswell for making the comment that Garrick, the actor, would not begrudge Johnson a free ticket to a play. Johnson again rebuked him, reminding Boswell that he hardly knew Garrick.

But they went on to become friends until Johnson died in 1774.