Wednesday 5 February 2025
10am - 11am
£15 (booking fee)
Enjoy Coffee with the Curator at Dr Johnson's House. Hear the story of the life and work of one of England's greatest literary figures over a coffee and pastry!
'When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life...'
Like many Londoners today, Johnson was not from London. The son of a bookseller in Lichfield (Staffordshire), Johnson walked to the capital in 1737 seeking fame and fortune. He never left. While fortune evaded him, Dr Johnson rose to become one of the greatest literary figures of the 18th century and compiled his seminal A Dictionary of the English Language at his home in Gough Square, published in 1755.
Johnson's Dictionary contains some witty definitions and words that sound strange - and funny! - to our ears today, such as HOTCOCKLES, JIGGUMBOB and TWITTLETWATTLE. Dr Johnson is regularly quoted today, and is famous for his love of London, not least when he observed, 'when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life'.
Explore an original 1690s townhouse
Dr Johnson's House is the only original historic townhouse still standing in Gough Square, having survived the Blitz and developments. Built in the 1690s, shortly after the Great Fire of London, the four-storey House retains many of its period features, including a very quirky anti-burglary device! You can browse all the rooms and sit down on the chairs and window seats to soak up the atmosphere in what was still the tallest building in the area during WWII.
Ticket includes coffee or tea and pastries, plus Curator's talk. You are welcome to stay as long as you want to browse the House and Gift Shop when we open to the public at 11am.
Accessibility
There is regrettably no step-free access to Dr Johnson's House.
There are seven steps to access the entrance (with a handrail).
The building is a four-storey townhouse with a staircase between each floor.
There are handrails on each side of the staircase and visitor seating in every room.
Toilets are located down a steep set of stairs.
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