Biography of Samuel Johnson
(1709–1784)
Samuel Johnson, often referred to as Dr. Johnson,
was a towering figure in 18th-century English literature. Known for his
contributions as a poet, essayist, lexicographer,
critic, and conversationalist, Johnson's works and personality have left
an indelible mark on English literary and cultural history.
Early Life and Education
- Birth: Samuel Johnson was born on September
18, 1709, in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, to Michael Johnson, a
bookseller, and Sarah Ford.
- Childhood Challenges: Johnson suffered from scrofula (a form of tuberculosis) in his
youth, which left him with physical scars and partial blindness in one
eye. His frail health and poverty shaped his early life.
- Education:
§ Johnson attended Lichfield Grammar
School, where he displayed an early aptitude for learning, particularly in
Latin.
§ n 1728, he enrolled at Pembroke
College, Oxford, but financial difficulties forced him to leave without a
degree after just 13 months.
Early Career
- Johnson struggled to find stable
employment in his early years, taking on jobs such as a schoolmaster. His efforts to establish a
school of his own were unsuccessful.
- In 1735, Johnson married Elizabeth Porter,
a widow 20 years his senior, whose financial support enabled him to focus
on his literary ambitions.
Literary Contributions
1. Early Works
- London (1738): A satirical poem that gained
Johnson recognition, presenting a critique of the corruption and moral
decline of society.
- The Vanity of Human
Wishes (1749): A profound
meditation on human ambition, fate, and the transient nature of life,
inspired by Juvenal’s satires.
2. A Dictionary of the English
Language (1755)
- Johnson’s magnum opus, this
dictionary was a monumental achievement, defining over 40,000 words and
including illustrative quotations.
- It was the
first comprehensive English dictionary and remained a standard
reference for over a century.
- The work also reflected Johnson’s
wit and personality; some definitions, like “oats” as “a grain which in
England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people,”
are famously humorous.
3. Essays and Journalism
- Johnson contributed to various
periodicals, including The Rambler (1750–1752) and The Idler (1758–1760).
- His essays often explored moral,
philosophical, and social themes, combining intellectual depth with
accessible language.
4. Literary Criticism
- Preface to Shakespeare (1765): Johnson’s critical
analysis of Shakespeare’s works emphasized their timeless human insights
while critiquing their structural flaws.
- Lives of the Poets (1779–1781): A collection of
biographical and critical essays on 52 poets, blending literary criticism
with rich, vivid storytelling.
5. Other Works
- Rasselas, Prince of
Abyssinia (1759): A
philosophical novel exploring themes of happiness, choice, and human
limitation.
Character and Personal Life
1. Physical and Psychological Challenges
· Johnson’s physical ailments and
struggles with mental health (likely depression and OCD) did not deter his
literary achievements.
· Despite his challenges, Johnson’s
resilience and intellectual vigor earned him widespread respect.
2. Religious Beliefs
· A devout Anglican, Johnson’s writings
and conversations often reflected his deep faith and moral philosophy.
3. Friendships and Social Life
· Johnson was a central figure in
London’s literary circles, forming friendships with notable figures like James
Boswell, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Edmund Burke, and Oliver
Goldsmith.
· Boswell’s The Life of Samuel Johnson
(1791) immortalized Johnson’s personality, quirks, and intellectual
contributions, offering one of the greatest biographies in literary history.
Legacy and Influence
1. Literary Legacy
Johnson’s critical methods, blending moral analysis with literary
appreciation, influenced generations of writers and critics.
His prose style, characterized by clarity, logic, and rhetorical elegance,
set a standard for English writing.
2. Lexicography
Johnson’s dictionary was a cornerstone in the development of modern English
lexicography, inspiring later works such as the Oxford English Dictionary.
3. Moral Philosophy
Johnson’s essays and conversations offered profound insights into human
nature, ethics, and the challenges of life, resonating with readers beyond his
time.
4. Boswell’s Biography
James Boswell’s The Life of Samuel Johnson ensured that Johnson’s influence extended beyond his
works, preserving his conversational brilliance and complex personality for
posterity.
Death and Memorial
Samuel Johnson died on December 13, 1784, in London. He was buried
in Westminster Abbey, an honor reflecting his status as one of England’s
literary greats.
Conclusion
Samuel Johnson’s life and works epitomize the
intellectual vigor and moral seriousness of the 18th century. His
achievements as a poet, critic, and lexicographer, combined with his personal
resilience, have made him a towering figure in English literature. Johnson’s
legacy endures not only in his writings but also in the rich portrait of his
life and personality immortalized by his contemporaries.
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