Samuel Johnson was born in 1709 in the cathedral city of Lichfield, Staffordshire. His father was a bookseller whose house is now the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum. From his earliest days, Johnson’s life was blighted by ill health and poverty forced him to leave Pembroke College, Oxford without a degree. In 1735 he married Elizabeth Porter, a widow more than twenty years his senior.

In 1737 Johnson moved to London with his friend David Garrick, the actor, and tried to earn a living as a journalist, writing for The Gentleman’s Magazine. Johnson was commissioned by a syndicate of booksellers to write the first comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language in 1746. He rented 17 Gough Square and with the help of his six amanuenses compiled the Dictionary in the garret. It was published in 1755.

After the death of Johnson's beloved wife, the Jamaican servant Francis Barber came to live with him in Gough Square. Many friends were entertained at the house, including Joshua Reynolds, Charles Burney and the Blue Stocking Elizabeth Carter. Johnson often gave shelter to friends in need. The famous "Club" was formed, with friends such as Oliver Goldsmith and Edmund Burke. In 1763, Johnson met a young Scottish lawyer named James Boswell, who later became the best known of Johnson’s biographers.

Johnson’s edition of Shakespeare was published in 1765 and his Lives of the Poets in 1779-81. He died in 1784 and is buried at Westminster Abbey.

History of the House

When the House was purchased by the Liberal Member of Parliament Cecil Harmsworth in 1911 it was derelict and dilapidated. Harmsworth restored the House to its original condition and opened it to the public in 1912. At the same time, a cottage was built as the Curator's residence. The City of London suffered extensive damage during the Second World War and Dr Johnson’s House was nearly destroyed on three occasions during the bombing of 1940-41. The House was saved by the courage of the Auxiliary Fire Service, who were using the House as a rest centre and arts club.

The House is run by the Dr Johnson’s House Trust and the present Lord Harmsworth is the Chairman of the Board of Governors.

Personality of the Month
Michael Johnson 1656 - 1731
Tradesman, Father of Samuel Johnson

Little is known about the Johnson family tree. Samuel Johnson once said that he could "hardly tell who [his] Grandfather" was. From these humble origins, Michael was apprenticed to a stationer in the City of London and set up his own business in Lichfield in 1681. During this period, Lichfield was an important provincial cathedral city; it had, however, the community and rustic feel of a much smalller town. Anxious to make his mark, Michael built a four storey house on the Market Square (now the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum). This new building included the shop downstairs, where Johnson sold prints, medicines, books, wallpaper and stationary. He also upheld a small parchment factory on the outskirts of town and travelled across the Midlands binding, selling and repairing books.

In 1712, Michael was appointed Sheriff. Despite the honour, the post entailed considerable expenditure. At different times, Michael Johnson was also a Church Warden and Overseer of the Poor, holding a respected position in Lichfield.

His relationship with his wife, Sarah Ford, was often strained. Samuel noted that his father and mother "had not much happiness from each other." As Michael's business became less prosperous, financial problems added further strain to the marriage.

Samuel Johnson's relationship with his father was also strained. Michael delighted in exhibiting his son's learning and intelligence, making him recite verses to relatives. Samuel grew to dread these occasions so much that he would "run up a tree when company was expected." As a young man, Samuel was tardy in helping his father run the business, preferring to read the slow moving stock.

Later in life, Samuel Johnson regretted his unstable relationship with his father, writing his epitaph and even carrying out an act of penance for his disobedience; he stood in the pouring rain for over an hour on the site of one of his father's market stalls.