In British literature, few figures loom as large as Dr. Samuel Johnson. Famed for his dictionary and known for his intellectual prowess, sharp wit, and moral courage, Johnson’s contributions to English literature and culture are many and varied.

While his life may have been marked by personal struggles as well as remarkable achievements, it still fascinates scholars and readers alike. From his humble beginnings to his work on his English dictionary, Johnson’s legacy remains firmly embedded in the fabric of British history.

EARLY LIFE AND STRUGGLES

Born on September 18th 1709, in Lichfield, Staffordshire, Samuel Johnson’s early life was anything but easy. He was plagued by health problems from birth, including scrofula, a form of tuberculosis that affects the lymphatic glands. This illness left him with physical scars and partial deafness. His many ailments in fact, left Samuel Johnson with bouts of melancholy – something we’d now recognise as clinical depression – which would haunt him throughout his life.

At the age of 15, Johnson entered Lichfield Grammar School, where his remarkable intellect began to emerge. After finishing school, he attended Pembroke College in Oxford but due to financial difficulties he was forced to leave just 13 months later, without a degree. Nonetheless, his time at Oxford deepened his love for the classics, which allowed his reputation as a formidable scholar to take shape.

EARLY WORKS

Johnson’s adulthood continued to be marked with challenges, characterised by personal struggle and financial hardship, alongside a relentless pursuit of intellectual achievement. He worked as a teacher and writer and, in 1735. he married Elizabeth ‘Tetty’ Porter, a widower 20 years his senior. Their relationship was fraught with the same trials and tribulations Johnson had endured his whole life, and Tetty’s declining health played a further role in their hardships.

His breakthrough came in 1737 when he moved to London where he began to gain recognition as a writer and journalist, contributing essays, poems, and critiques to various publications. Some of his most notable early works are London (1738), a poem that earned praise for its sharp social commentary, and Life of Mr Richard Savage (1744), a biography that showcased Johnson’s narrative skill and deep empathy.

However, it was a commission in 1746 that solidified Johnson’s place in history. This commission would be his biggest project to date – The Dictionary of the English Language. This monumental task, containing over 40,000 entries, was celebrated for its depth, wit, and influence on the standardisation of English language and usage, and laid the foundation for his lasting literary legacy.

Although it was not the first English dictionary, it was by far the most comprehensive and authoritative of its time. Published in 1755, it was the result of nearly a decade of painstaking labour conducted by Johnson alone.

Johnson’s dictionary was not just a scholarly triumph but a cultural milestone. When defining words, he often used witty asides and moral reflections. He defined a lexicographer as a ‘harmless drudge’, revealing both his sense of humour and his self-awareness. The dictionary helped to standardise English spelling at a time when the language was in constant change. It helped provide a foundation for future linguistic studies and cemented Johnson’s reputation as one of Britain’s literary greats.

LITERARY AND SOCIAL INFLUENCE

While Johnson may be most well-known for his dictionary, it was far from his only literary contribution. His essays tackled moral, philosophical, and social issues with a blend of erudition and accessibility. And he published a novel in 1759, Rasselas, which explored themes of human nature and the pursuit of happiness.

As a conversationalist and social figure, he was central to the vibrant literary scene of 18th century London.

He founded the Literary Club in 1764 alongside Sir Joshua Reynolds, Edmund Burke, and David Garrick. This circle of intellectuals and artists became one of the most influential Enlightenment-era cultural groups.

LEGACY

Despite his declining health, Johnson continued to write and engage in public life. His final years were marked by a deepening Lichfieldreligiosity and he finally passed away, aged 75, on December 13th 1784. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, alongside memorials to Shakespeare and Jane Austen. He will be remembered as a pioneering lexicographer, a moral essayist, a poet, and a critic. His literary works laid the foundations for modern literary criticism and his approach to language continues to influence today’s lexicographers, and his life and work embody the spirit of the Enlightenment.