A Man of Letters: Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson was a towering figure of 18th-century England, a man whose life and work had a significant impact on the nation's literature, language, and culture. Johnson was born in 1709 in Lichfield, Staffordshire, to a bookseller father and a mother who died when he was just eight years old. Despite his poor beginnings, he rose to become one of the most important and well-respected men of his day, renowned for his wit, his knowledge, and his strong moral conviction.

The compilation of the first comprehensive dictionary of the English language, a huge undertaking that took Johnson almost nine years, was one of his greatest accomplishments. It was published in 1755 as Dr. Johnson's Dictionary and is one of the most esteemed and extensively used dictionaries. In it, Johnson provided clear and simple descriptions of over 40,000 terms and phrases based on his own vast readings and studies. He also includes tens of thousands of literary examples, making the dictionary a great resource for writers and scholars.

But Johnson was more than just a lexicographer. He was also a prolific writer, producing a wide range of works that included poetry, essays, and criticism. One of his most famous works is a series of essays known as The Rambler, which he wrote for a London newspaper from 1750 to 1752. In these essays, Johnson explored a variety of subjects, from politics and religion to literature and social issues. His writing was characterized by its clarity and force, and he became known for his ability to express complex ideas in simple, straightforward language.

Johnson was also a deeply religious man, and his faith played a central role in his life and work. He was a devout Anglican and believed strongly in the value of virtue and hard work. He was also a fierce critic of slavery, and his opposition to the institution is reflected in many of his writings. In his poem The Vanity of Human Wishes, for example, he wrote:

To sigh for ribbands, if we must be blind,

Is a folly unaffected and refined;

But he who where he wants, but laments,

Is a brute by his own indolence content.

Johnson's impact went beyond just his work. He was a prominent and well-respected person in London's literary and intellectual circles, where he was friends and acquaintances with many of the top authors and intellectuals of his time. Along with his kindness and charity, he was renowned for providing care and shelter to those in need.

Despite his many accomplishments and his reputation as a wise and learned man, Johnson struggled with a number of personal demons throughout his life. He was plagued by poor health and struggled with depression and anxiety, which he referred to as "the black dog." He was also a heavy drinker, and his alcoholism is said to have contributed to his poor health. Despite these challenges, Johnson remained productive and influential until the end of his life. He died in 1784 at the age of 75, and his death was widely mourned. His legacy lives on today in the many works he left behind, including his dictionary and his numerous essays, poems, and other writings. He is remembered as one of the greatest figures in English literature, a man whose wit, wisdom, and moral conviction have inspired generations of readers and writers.

Author Muhammad Sheharyar

LGS DEFENCE

Editor Suhh Yeon Kim