Samuel Johnson: Life, Works & Legacy of the Lexicographer

There’s a reason Samuel Johnson’s name still appears in conversations about language and literature more than 200 years after his death. He was the man who wrote the first comprehensive English dictionary by hand, in a single house in London, while battling tics, depression, and poverty.

Born: September 18, 1709, Lichfield, England · Died: December 13, 1784, London, England · Famous for: Dictionary of the English Language (1755) · Primary genres: Essay, biography, poetry, literary criticism · Known associates: James Boswell (biographer), Hester Thrale · Estimated works: Over 40 published volumes

The pattern: his life was a mix of towering achievement and persistent personal struggle.

What was Samuel Johnson best known for?

His Dictionary of the English Language

Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755, was a landmark in English lexicography. It contained 42,773 entries and took nine years to compile (BBC). The dictionary was notable for including illustrative quotations from literature, a practice that set a new standard. Johnson was approached by London booksellers in 1746 to write the dictionary, and he worked with assistants at his house in Gough Square (University of Saskatchewan Library). The dictionary remained a major authority for more than a century (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

His contributions as a literary critic and essayist

Johnson is widely regarded as the leading literary critic of his time (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). He wrote The Rambler, a series of essays published between 1750 and 1752, and later The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1779–1781), which set the standard for biographical criticism. He also edited an edition of Shakespeare’s plays. His works span poetry, translation, biography, drama, and criticism (University of Oxford repository).

The implication: Johnson’s Rambler essays established him as a moralist and stylist whose influence extended far beyond lexicography.

What was Samuel Johnson’s famous quote?

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”

This line, recorded by James Boswell in Life of Samuel Johnson (1777), captures Johnson’s deep affection for the capital. The full remark continues: “for there is in London all that life can afford.” It is one of the most quoted English sayings about urban life.

“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”

Johnson delivered this aphorism in 1775, also recorded by Boswell. It remains a staple of political commentary, often used to question hollow nationalism. The quote comes from a conversation about a man who “loudly abused” Johnson’s patron, Lord Chesterfield, while claiming to act out of patriotism (Wikipedia).

What this means: Johnson’s wit could be both profound and cutting. His quotes endure because they cut through cant and speak directly to human nature.

Did Samuel Johnson have Tourette’s syndrome?

Historical evidence of tics and gestures

Contemporaries noted Johnson’s involuntary movements and vocalizations. He would often touch lampposts, mutter to himself, and make sudden gestures. Boswell described his “convulsive starts” and “odd gesticulations.” These behaviours were observed throughout his life (Discover Britain).

Retrospective diagnosis by modern neurologists

Many medical historians now believe Johnson had Tourette’s syndrome. The condition was not named until the 19th century, but the symptoms match: multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic that persisted for more than a year. The diagnosis remains retrospective, and some scholars argue that the evidence is circumstantial. The uncertainty is real, but the consensus among specialists leans toward Tourette’s (Discover Britain).

What were Samuel Johnson’s last words?

Account of his final days

Johnson died on 13 December 1784 in London, after years of health problems including gout and heart disease (Encyclopaedia Britannica). In his final weeks, he was bedridden and cared for by a nurse and friends.

His final utterance

According to Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson, Johnson’s last recorded words were to a visiting nurse who asked him to join her in prayer. He reportedly said, “I will pray for you, and I wish you to pray for me.” Accounts vary slightly, but this version is the most cited. The words reflect the religious faith that had sustained him through decades of depression and illness.

What this means: Johnson’s final words, like his life, were a blend of wit and devotion.

What happened to Samuel Johnson?

His decline and death

Johnson’s health deteriorated in the 1780s. He suffered from gout, dropsy, and increasingly severe depression. He died on 13 December 1784, at his home in London. His final years were marked by financial security thanks to a government pension awarded in 1762 (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

Burial and legacy

Johnson was buried in Westminster Abbey, a testament to his national importance. His monument stands in Poets’ Corner. His biography by James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), is considered one of the greatest biographies in English literature. Johnson’s work continues to influence lexicography, criticism, and the study of the 18th century.

The pattern: Johnson’s death ended a life of extraordinary productivity, but his legacy grew even larger after his death.

Timeline of Samuel Johnson’s life

• 1709 – Samuel Johnson born in Lichfield, Staffordshire (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
• 1728 – Enters Pembroke College, Oxford; leaves without a degree due to financial difficulties.
• 1735 – Marries Elizabeth Porter, a widow twenty years his senior.
• 1737 – Moves to London with David Garrick; begins working as a Grub Street writer.
• 1749 – Publishes his poem The Vanity of Human Wishes.
• 1750–1752 – Writes and publishes The Rambler, a series of essays.
• 1755 – Publishes A Dictionary of the English Language (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
• 1759 – Publishes the novel Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia.
• 1762 – Awarded a government pension, securing his finances.
• 1773 – Travels to the Scottish Highlands and Hebrides with James Boswell.
• 1779–1781 – Publishes The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets.
• 1784 – Dies on December 13 in London; buried in Westminster Abbey (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

What we know and what remains unclear

Quotes from Samuel Johnson

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

— Samuel Johnson, recorded by James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson (1777)

“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”

— Samuel Johnson, recorded by James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson (1775)

“A second marriage is a triumph of hope over experience.”

— Samuel Johnson, recorded by James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson

Summary

Samuel Johnson was a self-made lexicographer and critic who shaped the English language while managing a body that often failed him. His dictionary set the standard, his essays defined moral criticism, and his quotes remain part of everyday speech. Johnson’s life was a testament to the power of persistence, and his work is still worth reading.

Readers interested in the full scope of his career can explore Samuel Johnsons biography and dictionary for a comprehensive overview.

Frequently asked questions

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