Samuel Johnson
- Born:
- September 18, 1709, Lichfield, Staffordshire, England
- Died:
- December 13, 1784, London, England
- Nationality:
- English
- Profession(s):
- Lexicographer, Writer, Essayist, Biographer, Critic, Poet
Early Life and Education
- Born to Michael Johnson, a bookseller, and Sarah Ford.
- Attended Lichfield Grammar School.
- Briefly studied at Pembroke College, Oxford, but left due to lack of funds.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a schoolteacher and contributed to periodicals early in his career.
- Published his influential poem "London" (1738).
- Undertook the monumental task of compiling A Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755.
- Wrote essays for The Rambler and The Idler.
- Published The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759).
- Received a pension from King George III in 1762, which provided financial stability.
- Formed a close relationship with James Boswell, who later wrote his biography.
- Embarked on a journey to Scotland with Boswell in 1773.
Notable Works
- A Dictionary of the English Language (1755)
- London (1738)
- The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749)
- The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759)
- The Rambler (1750-1752)
- The Idler (1758-1760)
- A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland (1775)
- Lives of the Poets (1779-1781) - A collection of biographical and critical essays on English poets; searching for a "lives of the poets by samuel johnson pdf" will likely lead to a digital version of this significant work.
Legacy and Impact
Samuel Johnson is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in English literature. His Dictionary was a landmark achievement in lexicography, and his essays and biographies significantly influenced subsequent writers. His wit and wisdom, as captured by Boswell, continue to resonate with readers today.