The Boswell Society began as the Auchinleck Boswell Society, which was founded in 1970 by Gordon Hoyle. Its meetings were primarily in Cumnock in Ayrshire, although there were members from further afield. The running of the Society later passed to Sheriff Neil Gow.

In 2001, a dinner was held at Auchinleck House to celebrate its restoration by the Landmark Trust. At this time, David R. Boswell, a descendant of Dr John Boswell (the biographer’s uncle), was invited to take over the running of the Society. The Society also changed its name and was formally inaugurated as the Boswell Society in May 2005.