Samuel Johnson
1709 – 1784
Surrounded by books from the beginning of his life as the son of a bookseller, Samuel Johnson grew up to become a literary figure equalled only by such geniuses as Shakespeare and Voltaire. He famously compiled A Dictionary of the English Language, which reached beyond the typical word list to include thorough definitions and advice about usage.
Show more
Johnson was also an accomplished editor, and arguably one of the first English literary critics. He composed novels, poems, and essays, and–after Shakespeare–is the second most quoted author in the English language. His acerbic bon mots and banter were preserved for future ages in James Boswell’s biography.
Surrounded by books from the beginning of his life as the son of a bookseller, Samuel Johnson grew up to become a literary figure equalled only by such geniuses as Shakespeare and Voltaire. He famously compiled A Dictionary of the English Language, which reached beyond the typical word list to include thorough definitions and advice about usage. Johnson was also an accomplished editor, and arguably one of the first English literary critics. He composed novels, poems, and essays, and–after Shakespeare–is the second most quoted author in the English language. His acerbic bon mots and banter were preserved for future ages in James Boswell’s biography.
Johnson featured as the September 2023 OLL birthday. Read it here.