The Life of Samuel Johnson: A Masterpiece of Biography

The Life of Samuel Johnson

by James Boswell

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4422 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	2719 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Samuel Johnson was one of the most important figures in English literature. He was a writer, lexicographer, and critic, and his work had a profound influence on the development of the English language. Johnson was also a fascinating character, and his life is full of interesting stories and anecdotes.

James Boswell was a Scottish lawyer and writer. He was a friend and admirer of Johnson, and he spent many years collecting information about his life. In 1791, Boswell published The Life of Samuel Johnson, a biography that is considered one of the greatest ever written.

The Life of Samuel Johnson is a fascinating glimpse into the life and mind of one of the most important figures in English literature. Boswell's writing is lively and engaging, and he provides a wealth of detail about Johnson's life and work. The book is also full of interesting stories and anecdotes, and it gives readers a real sense of what it was like to live in the 18th century.

The Life of Samuel Johnson is a must-read for anyone interested in English literature or biography. It is a masterpiece of the genre, and it provides a fascinating glimpse into the life and mind of one of the most important figures in English history.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: Johnson's Early Life
• Chapter 2: Johnson's Literary Career
• Chapter 3: Johnson's Personal Life
• Chapter 4: Johnson's Death and Legacy

Chapter 1: Johnson's Early Life

Samuel Johnson was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, on September 18, 1709. His father, Michael Johnson, was a bookseller, and his mother, Sarah Ford, was the daughter of a yeoman farmer. Johnson had two sisters, Mary and Lucy.

Johnson's early life was marked by poverty and illness. He suffered from scrofula, a tubercular infection of the lymph nodes, which left him with a disfigured face. He was also a sickly child, and he often missed school. Despite his physical challenges, Johnson was a bright and curious boy, and he loved to read.

In 1728, Johnson entered Pembroke College, Oxford. He studied classics and literature, and he quickly became one of the top students in his class. However, Johnson was unable to complete his degree due to financial difficulties. He left Oxford in 1731 and returned to Lichfield.

Chapter 2: Johnson's Literary Career

After leaving Oxford, Johnson worked as a tutor and a journalist. In 1736, he moved to London, where he began his literary career in earnest. He wrote for a variety of magazines and newspapers, and he published several poems and essays.

In 1747, Johnson published his most famous work, A Dictionary of the English Language. The dictionary was a massive undertaking, and it took Johnson nine years to complete. It was the first dictionary to include definitions of words, and it had a profound influence on the development of the English language.

In addition to his dictionary, Johnson wrote a number of other important works, including The Lives of the Poets (1779-1781) and Rasselas (1759). He was also a founding member of the Literary Club, a group of prominent writers and intellectuals.

Chapter 3: Johnson's Personal Life

Samuel Johnson was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a brilliant writer and intellectual, but he was also a deeply troubled man. He suffered from depression and anxiety, and he was often plagued by self-doubt.

Johnson was also a devout Christian, and he believed that his life was in the hands of God. He was a generous and compassionate man, and he often helped those in need.

Johnson never married, but he had a number of close friendships. His closest friend was James Boswell, who wrote The Life of Samuel Johnson.

Chapter 4: Johnson's Death and Legacy

Samuel Johnson died in London on December 13, 1784. He was 75 years old. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, next to the graves of William Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer.

Johnson's death was a great loss to the world of literature. He was one of the most important figures in English history, and his work had a profound influence on the development of the English language. He is remembered as one of the greatest writers and thinkers of all time.

The Life of Samuel Johnson is a masterpiece of biography. Boswell's writing is lively and engaging, and he provides a wealth of detail about Johnson's life and work. The book is also full of interesting stories and anecdotes, and it gives readers a real sense of what it was like to live in the 18th century.

The Life of Samuel Johnson is a must-read for anyone interested in English literature or biography. It is a masterpiece of the genre, and it provides a fascinating glimpse into the life and mind of one of the most important figures in English history.

The Life of Samuel Johnson

by James Boswell

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4422 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	2719 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE