8.1 Samuel Johnson's life and literary contributions

Samuel Johnson, a literary giant of 18th-century England, shaped the era's intellectual landscape. His diverse works, from poetry to criticism, and his famous dictionary, established him as a key figure in English literature and language.

Johnson's life story, marked by struggles and triumphs, mirrors the complexities of his time. His contributions to prose, poetry, and lexicography continue to influence our understanding of 18th-century culture and the development of the English language.

Samuel Johnson's Life and Career

Early Life and Education

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• Born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, in 1709 into a family with strong connections to the book trade influenced his early exposure to literature and writing
• Formal education at Pembroke College, Oxford cut short due to financial difficulties led to a period of struggle and self-education
  • Shaped his later views on learning and perseverance
  • Developed a lifelong passion for autodidacticism
• Worked briefly as a schoolmaster where he formed a friendship with actor David Garrick
  • Proved instrumental in his introduction to London's literary circles
  • Garrick later became one of the most famous actors of the 18th century

Career Beginnings and Personal Challenges

• Moved to London in 1737 marked the beginning of his professional writing career
  • Faced initial hardships including poverty and obscurity
  • Gradually established himself as a prominent literary figure through persistent writing and networking
• Married Elizabeth Porter in 1735, but her death in 1752 profoundly impacted Johnson's emotional state
  • Reflected in his later works, particularly meditations on human suffering (The Vanity of Human Wishes)
  • Influenced his views on mortality and the human condition
• Struggled with chronic health issues throughout his life
  • Suffered from depression and what is now believed to be Tourette syndrome
  • These conditions influenced both his writing style (often melancholic and introspective) and the themes he explored in his work (human frailty, the nature of happiness)

Professional Success and Later Years

• Granted a pension by King George III in 1762 provided financial stability
  • Allowed him to focus more intensively on his literary pursuits and major works
  • Freed from the necessity of writing for immediate income, Johnson could undertake more ambitious projects
• Became the center of the "Literary Club," which included notable figures (Joshua Reynolds, Edmund Burke)
  • Established him as a key influencer in London's intellectual circles
  • Provided a forum for intellectual discourse and debate on various topics
• Undertook a journey to Scotland in 1773, documented in "A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland"
  • Provided valuable insights into 18th-century Scottish culture and the Highland way of life
  • Demonstrated Johnson's curiosity about different cultures and ways of life within Britain

Johnson's Influence in 18th-Century England

Literary and Cultural Impact

• Solidified his role as a literary critic and arbiter of taste through works (Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets)
  • Shaped the literary canon of his time by evaluating and critiquing major English poets
  • Established criteria for literary excellence that influenced subsequent generations of critics
• Conversational prowess, as recorded in James Boswell's "Life of Samuel Johnson," became a model for intellectual discourse
  • Set standards for wit, eloquence, and argumentation in 18th-century society
  • Boswell's biography itself became a landmark in the genre of literary biography
• Published moral essays in periodicals (The Rambler, The Idler) addressed contemporary social issues
  • Helped shape public opinion on various matters (marriage, education, social customs)
  • Demonstrated Johnson's ability to combine moral instruction with engaging prose

Intellectual Leadership and Mentorship

• Provided literary patronage and mentorship to younger writers (Oliver Goldsmith)
  • Contributed to the development of new literary talents in the period
  • Helped establish a network of writers and thinkers who would shape English literature
• Positioned himself as a defender of Augustan literary values in the face of changing cultural trends
  • Expressed skepticism towards emerging Romantic ideals
  • Maintained the importance of reason, order, and moral purpose in literature
• Influence extended beyond literature to areas of philosophy, politics, and social commentary
  • His opinions on various subjects were widely sought and respected
  • Contributed to public debates on issues (slavery, colonialism, gender roles)

Johnson's Literary Contributions

Poetry and Prose

• Poem "London" (1738), an imitation of Juvenal's Third Satire, established his reputation as a skilled verse satirist
  • Commented on urban life and social issues in 18th-century London
  • Demonstrated Johnson's mastery of the heroic couplet form
• Philosophical novel "Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia" (1759) explored themes of human happiness and rationalism's limitations
  • Influenced the development of the philosophical tale genre
  • Addressed universal questions about the nature of happiness and the human condition
• Periodical essays in "The Rambler" (1750-52) and "The Idler" (1758-60) refined the genre of the moral essay
  • Showcased Johnson's distinctive prose style, characterized by balance and antithesis
  • Covered a wide range of topics (morality, literature, social customs)

Literary Criticism and Biography

• Preface to his edition of Shakespeare's plays (1765) considered a landmark in Shakespeare criticism
  • Offered insightful analysis of Shakespeare's works
  • Defended Shakespeare against neoclassical criticisms, arguing for his universal appeal
• Biographical work "Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets" (1779-81) set new standards for literary biography
  • Combined biographical information with critical analysis of poets' works
  • Influenced subsequent generations of critics and biographers in approach and style
• Literary criticism characterized by its moral focus and attention to human elements in literature
  • Helped shape the critical discourse of the 18th century and beyond
  • Emphasized the importance of literature's moral and instructive functions

Johnson's Impact on English Language and Lexicography

A Dictionary of the English Language

• Published "A Dictionary of the English Language" (1755), the most comprehensive English dictionary of its time
  • Set new standards for lexicography, influencing subsequent dictionaries for centuries
  • Contained approximately 43,000 words with 114,000 literary quotations
• Introduced a new methodology in lexicography by providing illustrative quotations from literature
  • Enhanced definitions with examples of word usage from respected authors
  • This approach is still influential in modern dictionary-making
• Helped standardize English spelling and usage during a period of rapid linguistic change
  • Contributed significantly to the codification of the English language
  • Became a reference point for "correct" English in education and publishing

Linguistic Contributions and Legacy

• Included etymologies in dictionary entries promoted a historical understanding of the English language
  • Influenced the development of historical linguistics
  • Demonstrated the evolution of words and their meanings over time
• Prescriptive approach to language played a crucial role in shaping ideas about "correct" English usage
  • While sometimes criticized, his work became a touchstone for language standards
  • Influenced debates about language change and standardization that continue today
• Witty and often subjective definitions reflected his personality and added a literary quality to lexicography
  • Defined "oats" as "a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people"
  • These definitions became famous in their own right and demonstrated the potential for creativity in lexicography
• Work on the dictionary influenced the development of English as a global language
  • Provided a comprehensive reference work used in education and standardization efforts worldwide
  • Contributed to the spread and standardization of English during a period of British imperial expansion