Welcome to Dr Johnson's House

'...when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life'

Discover the world of Dr Samuel Johnson, England's most distinguished man of letters

Plan Your Visit

Opening Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm

Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Free Talks Every Wednesday & Friday

Join us for volunteer-led talks.
Wednesdays at 2:30pm - Dr Johnson’s Dictionary: an extraordinary feat of lexicography

Fridays 2:30pm - A City of Change: Living in 18th-Century London

Included with admission.

Walk & Visit

Wednesday 15 April
1pm - 3pm

Take a fascinating walk through the heart of literary London and visit the home of its most famous resident writer, Samuel Johnson.

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Museum Lates

Thursday 23 April
5.30pm - 7pm

Celebrate the return of light evenings with a Museum Late at one of London’s best-kept secrets!

Book Now

Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words 2026

The Age of Wisdom and Foolishness
Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 May

Featuring an array of authors, journalists and thinkers across multiple genres, the Festival of Words once again celebrates Fleet Street Quarter as the place where stories have always been born.

Book Now

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Death Rituals & Grief: In Conversation with Sofka Zinovieff & Julia Samuel

Wednesday 10 June
6pm - 8pm

Join acclaimed author Sofka Zinovieff and leading psychotherapist Julia Samuel for a fascinating exploration of death rituals and grief.

Book Now

Become a Member

Join us and enjoy unlimited free entry! Your Membership provides critical support for the future of Dr Johnson's House.

Join Now

Desks, Drudgery and the Dictionary: Samuel Johnson’s Garret Lexicography

Current Exhibition
Free with Admission

We showcase new aspects of Johnson's garret lexicography, exploring why the garret was so important in Johnson's move to Gough Square.

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Discover Johnson's Dictionary

Explore the story behind Samuel Johnson’s groundbreaking Dictionary of the English Language and its lasting impact.

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Children Welcome!

We've been welcoming children since 1752, when 8-year old Francis Barber came to live with Samuel Johnson.

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Francis Barber

As a small boy, Barber took his place in Johnson’s crowded household. He began there as a servant, but was to become almost an adoptive son to Johnson: when Johnson died, many years later, he made Barber his heir.

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Group Visits

We look forward to welcoming you for an Evening Private Tour or a Group Visit!

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Tetty Johnson

Elizabeth 'Tetty' Jervis was born 4th February 1689 in Great Peatling, near Leicester. As with most aspects of Johnson's life, his marriage to Tetty was far from typical.

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Venue Hire

17 Gough Square is a remarkably untouched time-capsule from the Age of Enlightenment. With original 17th-century features and an iconic history, it is a unique venue in the heart of the City of London

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Dr Johnson

Samuel Johnson, a professional writer in a new age of print, rose to become one of the greatest literary figures in the English language, redefining how we think about, use, and record language.

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Firemen's Club

For three years during the Second World War, Dr Johnson’s House played the unexpected role of a social club for local firemen.

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Hodge the Cat

The statue facing 17 Gough Square commemorates the house's most famous quadruped resident, Hodge, Samuel Johnson's cat.

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The Collection

Dr Johnson’s House contains a well-stocked library of books, many eighteenth- and nineteenth-century prints and oil paintings, porcelain, Georgian furniture and other Johnsoniana ephemera .

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Fry's Desk

Our Patron, Stephen Fry, ruminates on the meaning of desks at the launch for Desks, Drudgery and the Dictionary.

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Volunteer

All our volunteers are vital to the successful running of the House. In return, we want your time with us to be rewarding, enjoyable and worthwhile.

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Learning

We offer educational workshops six days a week in the House as well as materials to be used in the classroom. We have workshops for all age from preschool to U3A.

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Welcome to Dr Johnson's House

Free Talks Every Wednesday & Friday

Walk & Visit

Wednesday 15 April 1pm - 3pm Take a fascinating walk through the heart of literary London and visit the home of its most famous resident writer, Samuel Johnson.

Museum Lates

Thursday 23 April 5.30pm - 7pm Celebrate the return of light evenings with a Museum Late at one of London’s best-kept secrets!

Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words 2026

The Age of Wisdom and Foolishness Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 May Featuring an array of authors, journalists and thinkers across multiple genres, the Festival of Words once again celebrates Fleet Street Quarter as the place where stories have always been born.

​Death Rituals & Grief: In Conversation with Sofka Zinovieff & Julia Samuel

Wednesday 10 June 6pm - 8pm Join acclaimed author Sofka Zinovieff and leading psychotherapist Julia Samuel for a fascinating exploration of death rituals and grief.

Become a Member

Join us and enjoy unlimited free entry! Your Membership provides critical support for the future of Dr Johnson's House.

Desks, Drudgery and the Dictionary: Samuel Johnson’s Garret Lexicography

Discover Johnson's Dictionary

Children Welcome!

Francis Barber

Group Visits

Tetty Johnson

Venue Hire

Dr Johnson

Firemen's Club

Hodge the Cat

The Collection

Fry's Desk

Volunteer

Learning

Wednesday 15 April
1pm - 3pm

Take a fascinating walk through the heart of literary London and visit the home of its most famous resident writer, Samuel Johnson.

Thursday 23 April
5.30pm - 7pm

Celebrate the return of light evenings with a Museum Late at one of London’s best-kept secrets!

The Age of Wisdom and Foolishness
Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 May

Featuring an array of authors, journalists and thinkers across multiple genres, the Festival of Words once again celebrates Fleet Street Quarter as the place where stories have always been born.

Death Rituals & Grief: In Conversation with Sofka Zinovieff & Julia Samuel

Wednesday 10 June
6pm - 8pm

Join acclaimed author Sofka Zinovieff and leading psychotherapist Julia Samuel for a fascinating exploration of death rituals and grief.