Who was Samuel Johnson?
Writer, Lexicographer and Journalist.
Date and Place of Birth:
18th September 1709, Lichfield, Staffordshire,
England.
Family Background:
Son of Michael Johson a bookseller. His mother
Sarah was descended from wealthy landowners.
Education:
Lichfield Grammar School. Stourbridge Grammar
School. Pembroke College, Oxford University. (Left without a degree
due to lack of money and depression).
Chronology/Biography of Samuel Johnson:
1731: Unsuccessful
finding teaching posts but finally finds one at Market Bosworth
Grammar school in Leicestershire. Finally settles in Birmingham
where he meets his future wife Elizabeth Porter.
1735: Sets up a
school at Edial Hall, Burntwood near Lichfield, which was not a
success.
1737: Goes to London
with a former pupil David Garrick. His
early writings were published in the "Gentleman's Magazine"
particularly parliamentary debates. as well as poetry, biographies
and some translation work.
1744: Completes
a life of his friend Richard Savage.
1746: Signed the
contract to begin preparation of the Dictionary of the English Language,
a project which would take eight years to complete. Lived at Gough
Square, near Fleet Street. Relations with his wife began to become
strained and Elizabeth lived for much of the time in the north of
London.
1749: David Garrick
now an Actor Manager produced his only play "Irene".
1750: Begins the
publication of his own periodical called "The Rambler"
which continued until 1752.
1752: Death of his
wife.
1755: Publication
of "A Dictionary of the English Language". Becomes famous
but not wealthy, although he did turn down patronage from Lord Chesterfield.
Decides to work on an edition of Shakespeare's plays as his next
major project . Awarded an Honary Degree at Oxford University. Wrote
for the "Literary Magazine" and "The Universal Chronicle".
House where Johnson lived in London. Now a museum
(© Anthony Blagg)
1759: Death of his
mother. He wrote a short novel, "Rasselas" to cover the
funeral expenses.
1760: On the Accession
of King George the Third he was given a Government pension of £300
per year which meant that he did not have to work on so many literary
projects to survive.
1763: Met James
Boswell the son of a high Court judge from Edinburgh. He had also
become friends with Samuel Richardson, Oliver Goldsmith
and Fanney Burney due to his reputation
in London literary circles. He began to live with another friend
in Southwark, Henry Thrale a wealthy brewer and his wife Hester.
1764: Founded the
Literary Club in London. Many distinguished people became members
of the group including Edmund Burke, Charles
James Fox and Joshua Reynolds.
1765: Published
his critical edition of Shakespeare's
Plays in eight volumes.
1773: Journey with
Boswell through the Scottish Highlands. His written account of this
journey made him take up his pen again in earnest.
1779: Death of Henry
Thrale. Begins work on his monumental ten volume "Most Eminent
English Poets".
1781: Marriage of
Hester Thrale to Gabriel Piozzi an Italian music master upset Johnson
so much that his friendship with Hester was soured.
1784: Became totally
estranged from Hester and went to his death dejected.
Written Works:
- 1745:
"Miscellaneous Observations on the Tragedy of Macbeth".
- 1749:
"The Vanity of Human Wishes." "Irene" (Play)
- 1755: Publication
of the Dictionary of the English Language.
- 1759:
"Rasselas, the Prince of Abyssinia"
- 1765:
Johnson's Edition of Shakespeare completed.
- 1777:
"The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets."
Marriage:
9th June 1735 To Elizabeth Porter a widow 20
years older than himself at St. Werburgh's Church, Derby. (died
1752)
Places of Interest:
DERBYSHIRE:
Boswell and Johnson drank at the Green Man Public
House, Ashbourne.
LONDON:
British Library.
Dr Johnson Museum
NORFOLK:
Felbrigg Hall, Norwich, NR4 8PH. (Has copies
of personal books). (National Trust).
STAFFORDSHIRE:
Johnson Birthplace Museum, Breadmarket Street,
Lichfield.
Date and Place of Death:
13th December 1784, London, England.
Age at Death:
75.
Site of Grave:
Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey, London,
England.
Westminster Abbey, London
(© Anthony Blagg)
Further Information:
Johnson Society of Lichfield
Mr John Dudley
15 Lomax close
Lichfield
Ws13 76Y
