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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: 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". 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 House, 17 Gough Street, EC4A 3DE. 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. Further Information: Johnson Society of Lichfield Mr John Dudley 15 Lomax close Lichfield Ws13 76Y