Home | Dr Johnson's House
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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

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.

Museum Lates

Wednesday 17 June
5.30pm - 7pm


Enjoy sparkling drinks and discover one of London's best-kept secrets!

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Britain & The American Dream

Wednesday 1 July
6.30pm - 8pm


Bestselling historian Peter Moore traces how Enlightenment ideas were exported from Britain and put into practice in America - where they became the most successful export of all time, the American Dream.

A Harmless Drudge and his Dictionary

Thursday 2 July
7pm - 8pm


This online lecture will explore the life, work and legacy of Dr Samuel Johnson who firmly held the belief that 'to be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition'. 

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Lamentable Tales, Merry Gestes and Pleasant Histories

Sunday 12 July
12pm - 4pm
Free with admission. All welcome!


Join storyteller and historian Dave Tonge and hear the tales that filled Johnson’s London, from ballads and chapbooks to legends shared in coffee houses and market places.

Walk & Visit

Wednesday 15 July
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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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

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.

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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