![]() ![]() Until the completion of the Oxford English Dictionary 173 years later, Johnson’s was viewed as the primary English dictionary. Johnson produced several revised editions during his life. Remarkably, Johnson completed the work single-handedly, with only clerical assistance to copy out the illustrative quotations that he had marked in books. Johnson took nearly nine years to complete the work, although he had claimed he could finish it in three. There was dissatisfaction with the dictionaries of the period, so in June 1746 a group of London booksellers hired Johnson to write a dictionary. One of Johnson’s most famous works is A Dictionary of the English Language. He admired the poets that wrote like him, such as Swift. He was an active critic of others work, but when critiquing it, he would say only good things about the authors and poets. Johnson’s good demeanor did not stop there. It is known that Johnson gave two thirds of his income to charity, and never turned down a man or woman in need of help. He took in strays from the outside, gave them a place to stay, and supported them throughout his adulthood. He was an honest man, and never thought twice about helping those in need. He did not linger on insubstantial complaints, and appreciated the world around him. Johnson was known as a charitable, sensible, and caring man. Johnson was also awarded an honorary doctorate in 1765 by Trinity College Dublin and in 1775 by Oxford. Oxford did eventually award him with the degree of Master of Arts. Johnson attempted to obtain several jobs but failed to be hired because he did not have a degree. ![]() A shortage of funds forced Johnson to leave Oxford without a degree and move back home to Lichfield. Later in 1728, at age nineteen, Johnson entered Pembroke College, Oxford. The family remained in poverty until the cousin of Johnson’s mother, Elizabeth Harriotts, died in February 1728 and left enough money to send Johnson to college. To earn money, Johnson began to stitch books for his father, and it is presumable that Johnson spent much time in his father’s bookshop reading and building his literary knowledge. Johnson excelled in school and was promoted to the upper school at age nine.Īt the age of about sixteen, Johnson’s father was deeply in debt. Johnson showed signs of early intelligence and began his education at the mere age of three. It is claimed that Samuel Johnson grew up in poverty and that he and his family fought financial battles for the majority of Johnson’s childhood and young adult life. ![]() Samuel Johnson was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England on September 18, 1709. Johnson is known for writing profound poetry, fiction, moralizing essays, and political pieces. Samuel Johnson is an esteemed English writer who became a prominent literary figure in England in the 18th century. ![]()
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