Dr Samuel Johnson: a great writer and critic

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Introduction

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) was one of the most influential figures in English literature during the eighteenth century. A poet, essayist, critic, lexicographer, biographer, and conversationalist, Johnson’s impact was immense and lasting. He is best remembered for his monumental Dictionary of the English Language (1755), his essays in The Rambler and The Idler, his philosophical tale Rasselas, and his great critical work Lives of the Poets. Beyond his writings, his wit, wisdom, and conversation made him a legendary personality, immortalized in James Boswell’s Life of Johnson, often called the greatest biography in English. Johnson was not only a man of letters but also a moralist, whose works consistently stressed virtue, truth, and the complexities of human life.

Early Life and Education

Samuel Johnson was born on 18 September 1709 in Lichfield, Staffordshire, into a modest family. His father, Michael Johnson, was a bookseller, which exposed young Samuel to books from an early age. Despite suffering from scrofula (known then as “the King’s Evil”) and lifelong health problems, Johnson developed a passion for learning.

He studied at Lichfield Grammar School and later briefly attended Pembroke College, Oxford, but had to leave due to financial difficulties. Although he never formally completed his degree, his vast self-education made him one of the most learned men of his time.

Struggles and Early Career

Johnson faced poverty and hardship in his early years. After failed attempts at teaching, he moved to London in 1737 with little money but great ambition. There he struggled but gradually established himself as a writer through contributions to magazines and journals. His resilience in the face of poverty shaped his practical, moral view of life, which became central to his writings.

Major Works

London (1738)

One of Johnson’s first notable works, this poem is an imitation of Juvenal’s satire. It criticizes the corruption and vice of London while reflecting the poet’s frustration with social and political decay.

The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749)

A powerful moral and philosophical poem, it is also an imitation of Juvenal. Johnson reflects on the futility of ambition, wealth, and power, emphasizing the inevitability of human suffering and the need for faith and virtue.

The Rambler (1750–1752) and The Idler (1758–1760)

These periodical essays are among Johnson’s most important contributions to English prose. In The Rambler, published twice weekly, he explored moral, social, and literary subjects with seriousness and depth. The Idler was lighter in tone but still full of wisdom. These essays established Johnson as a moral guide for his age.

A Dictionary of the English Language (1755)

This monumental work took Johnson nearly nine years to complete. It was the most comprehensive dictionary of its time, with over 40,000 entries. Johnson not only defined words but also illustrated their meanings with literary quotations, often from Shakespeare, Milton, and Dryden. His dictionary shaped English lexicography for more than a century and remains a milestone in the history of language.

Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia (1759)

Written quickly to pay for his mother’s funeral expenses, this philosophical tale tells the story of Prince Rasselas, who explores different ways of life to discover the secret of happiness. The work reflects Johnson’s belief that worldly pursuits cannot satisfy human beings, and that virtue, wisdom, and acceptance of life’s limitations are essential.

Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1779–1781)

This collection of biographical and critical essays on 52 poets, from Milton to Gray, is Johnson’s greatest contribution to literary criticism. Combining biography with critical judgment, he assessed poets with honesty, clarity, and moral seriousness. His criticism of metaphysical poets, like John Donne, was highly influential, though sometimes controversial.

Themes in Johnson’s Works

  1. Morality and Virtue: Johnson constantly emphasized the importance of moral conduct and personal responsibility.
  2. The Vanity of Human Desires: He showed how ambition, wealth, and power fail to bring lasting happiness.
  3. Religion and Faith: As a Christian moralist, Johnson believed that faith in God was central to a meaningful life.
  4. Human Weakness: His works reflect sympathy for human frailty, showing understanding of both failure and resilience.
  5. The Value of Literature: Johnson saw literature as a moral force that should delight and instruct.

Style of Writing

Johnson’s prose style is grand, elaborate, and full of balanced sentences, often referred to as “Johnsonian.” He favored Latinate vocabulary and formal rhythm, which gave his writing a weighty, authoritative tone. His criticism was straightforward, rational, and guided by moral principles. His wit and wisdom, however, made even his most serious works engaging.

Personal Life and Character

Johnson suffered from ill health throughout his life, including depression (which he called “melancholy”) and physical disabilities. Despite this, he was known for his humor, kindness, and generosity to friends and struggling writers.

His marriage to Elizabeth Porter, a widow much older than himself, was affectionate and enduring. After her death, he lived a largely solitary life, though he was surrounded by friends and admirers. His circle included notable figures like James Boswell, Joshua Reynolds, Oliver Goldsmith, and Edmund Burke.

Johnson’s Personality and Conversation

Johnson was famous for his conversation, which was sharp, witty, and full of insight. Boswell’s Life of Johnson immortalized these conversations, capturing Johnson’s brilliance as well as his prejudices. His sayings—often paradoxical and full of humor—remain widely quoted.

Legacy and Influence

Johnson’s contributions to English literature and thought are immense. His dictionary shaped the English language. His essays offered moral guidance to a generation. His criticism set standards of literary judgment. His life itself, with its struggles, faith, and perseverance, became a moral example.

Boswell’s biography ensured that Johnson would never be forgotten, presenting him as a man of great intellect, wit, and humanity. Johnson remains a central figure in English literature, admired for both his works and his character.

Conclusion

Dr. Samuel Johnson was not only a great writer but also a great moral thinker of the eighteenth century. His dictionary, poems, essays, and criticism reflect his deep concern with truth, virtue, and human experience. Despite personal struggles, he rose to become the intellectual giant of his age. His life and works continue to inspire readers with their wisdom, honesty, and moral vision. Johnson’s legacy endures as the voice of reason, morality, and humanity in English literature.

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