Samuel Johnson
- Born:
- 18 September 1709, Lichfield, Staffordshire, England
- Died:
- 13 December 1784, London, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Lexicographer, Writer, Poet, Essayist, Literary Critic, Biographer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Michael Johnson, a bookseller, and Sarah Ford.
- Attended Lichfield Grammar School.
- Briefly attended Pembroke College, Oxford, but left due to lack of funds.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a schoolteacher and writer for The Gentleman's Magazine.
- Published his influential poem "London" in 1738.
- Undertook the monumental task of compiling A Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755.
- Edited and provided notes for William Shakespeare's plays.
- Published The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (often referred to as Lives of the Poets).
- Was the subject of a celebrated biography by James Boswell; together, the lives of Samuel Johnson and James Boswell are highly influential in English literature.
Notable Works
- A Dictionary of the English Language (1755)
- The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749)
- The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759)
- The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1779-1781)
- London (1738)
Legacy and Impact
Samuel Johnson is considered one of the most significant figures in English literature. His Dictionary standardized English usage for many years, and his literary criticism and biographical works remain influential. His wit and wisdom, recorded by James Boswell, solidified his place as a major cultural figure.
Selected Critical Works
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Preface to Shakespeare | 1765 |
| Life of Milton | 1779 |