Samuel Johnson

""Samuel Johnson"" by Stephen Leslie is a biography of the famous 18th-century English writer, critic, and lexicographer, Samuel Johnson. The book explores Johnson's life and work, from his childhood in Lichfield to his struggles with poverty and depression, his literary successes, and his lasting impact on the English language. The author provides a detailed account of Johnson's personal life, including his relationships with family and friends, his religious beliefs, and his political views. The book also delves into Johnson's literary achievements, including his essays, poetry, and his monumental work, ""A Dictionary of the English Language."" Throughout the book, Stephen Leslie offers insightful analysis of Johnson's writings, as well as his impact on the literary and intellectual culture of his time. The biography is well-researched and engaging, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of one of the most important figures in English literature. Overall, ""Samuel Johnson"" offers a fascinating portrait of a complex and influential figure, and is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of English literature.Boswell saw in him chiefly the great dictator of conversation; and though the reports of Johnson's talk represent his character in spite of some qualifications with unusual fulness, there were many traits very inadequately revealed at the Mitre or the Club, at Mrs. Thrale's, or in meetings with Wilkes or Reynolds. We may catch some glimpses from his letters and diaries of that inward life which consisted generally in a long succession of struggles against an oppressive and often paralysing melancholy.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.