Benjamin Franklin Summer Fete

Saturday 13th July 11am - 4pm

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at the annual Benjamin Franklin summer fete, where you'll a chance to try quill writing, write some of your own definitions, try on Georgian costumes and much more! Dr Johnson's House is one of a host of London museums who will be providing all sorts of children's activities, in the beautiful gardens of Leighton House. Why not come along!

Free entry

Lady in a Veil

Thursday 1st August 7pm (Doors open at 6.30pm)

Lady in a Veil is a solo show performed by Georgina Lock, in the character of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762). Born in Nottinghamshire, the daring, witty Lady Mary wrote essays, poetry and a fascinating collection of letters - including accounts of her travels in the Ottoman Empire as the wife of the British Ambassador. Her introduction of smallpox inoculation, from Turkish harems to Britain, in 1720, and her first trial of inoculation on her son, reduced Europe’s many fatalities from smallpox and paved the way for Jenner's discovery of vaccination. We meet her in 1742, in Turin. She has left England again, without her husband, in pursuit of health and happiness with a much younger man, the brilliant Venetian, Count Francesco Algarotti.

SOLD OUT

Meditation on the Meeting of Flora Macdonald and Dr Johnson during his Journey to the Western Isles

Thursday 17th October 7pm (Doors open at 6.30pm)

Flora Fraser will reflect on the pivotal meeting, in 1773, of the Scottish heroine with Dr Johnson and James Boswell at her home in Skye. The travellers hungered for an account of her youthful adventures in 1746 with Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Flora Fraser pays tribute to Dr Johnson as a guest in the Macdonald house in Skye who recognised the sterling worth of his hostess. Shortly after this visit, the Scottish heroine, in pursuit of economic stability, emigrated with her family to the new world. Only months after their arrival in North Carolina, all stability vanished with the outbreak of the American Revolution. In the very year that Johnson’s Journey was published -stimulating interest in the history of the ’45 Rising - the acknowledged heroine of the Jacobite rebellion was once more caught up in civil war.
            Flora Fraser, historical biographer, is at work on a new life of Flora Macdonald, to be published next year. Her previous books include Princesses: The Daughters of George III and George & Martha Washington: A Revolutionary Marriage.

Tickets £10 - includes a complimentary glass of wine

DR JOHNSON WALKS

Follow in Johnson's footsteps and explore the courts and alleys off Fleet Street with an experienced City Guide.

1st Wednesday of each month (except Jan.), 3pm

Next walk:
7 August

Groups may also book walks at alternative times. For any enquiries please contact us.

Dr Johnson's Fleet Street - Discover Johnson's life and work in and around Fleet Street and his acquaintances in the area.
Dr Johnson's City - Explore the Fleet Valley, Ludgate Hill and St Paul's Churchyard areas as Johnson knew them.

£5/£4 concessions. No booking required. Meet outside Dr Johnson's House.

This is a joint venture between Dr Johnson's House and the City Guides.