First published 2009
Samuel Johnson towers over the second half of the 18th century so completely that historians call it the Age of Johnson. W. Jackson Bate traces Johnson's remarkable journey from his humble beginnings as a Grub Street journalist to his transformation into one of history's most influential literary figures. Bate examines how Johnson shaped multiple fields as poet, author, moralist, literary critic, political commentator, and lexicographer. The biography reveals the complex character behind Johnson's intellectual achievements and his vast contributions to literature, religion, politics, and human understanding. Bate writes with lyrical precision, exploring why Johnson continues to captivate scholars, critics, and general readers across two centuries. The author argues that Johnson's enduring appeal stems not merely from his quotable wit and vivid personality, but from something deeper: the profound comfort he provides to human nature itself. This portrait illuminates both the peculiar and beloved aspects of a literary luminary whose influence extends far beyond his own era.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, british-literature, biography-memoir, criticism, 19th-century, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: biography, historical-figure
Period: 18th Century
668 pages · Paperback · Counterpoint