Auteur: Thomas Parnell

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784), often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, and lexicographer. He is perhaps best known for his work “A Dictionary of the English Language” (1755), which was one of the earliest and most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language. Born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, Johnson attended Pembroke College, Oxford, albeit briefly due to financial difficulties. His literary career encompassed a broad range of works including essays, sermons, and biographies. Johnson”s “The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets” (1779-1781), a series of biographical sketches that offered both literary criticism and moral insights, consolidated his reputation as a preeminent literary figure. His contribution as an author and critic underscored his respect for form while embracing both the neoclassical and Augustan styles of writing. In “Poetical Works of Johnson, Parnell, Gray, and Smollett”, Johnson”s poems sit alongside those of his contemporaries, illustrating his mastery of verse and his influence amongst the literary giants of his time. Renowned for his wit and conversation, depicted evocatively in James Boswell”s “Life of Samuel Johnson” (1791), Johnson”s intellectual prowess and humanistic outlook remain a touchstone in the study of 18th-century English literature.