Author profile

Samuel Johnson

1709–1784 · England

An English lexicographer, critic and essayist whose dictionary, biographies and prose criticism became landmarks of eighteenth-century letters.

Language & Communication Essays

Life and context

A short timeline

1709
Born in England.
1755
A Grammar of the English Tongue published.
Unknown year
Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia published.
Unknown year
The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749) and Two Rambler papers (1750) published.
1784
End of the author’s recorded life.

Recurring concerns

Themes and style

language
criticism
morality
literary judgment

Balanced, Latinate sentences joining definition, moral reflection and pointed wit.

Available here

Works by Samuel Johnson

3 works in the Linden collection.

Language & Communication

A Grammar of the English Tongue

Samuel Johnson

Language & Communication · B2–C1 · 2 hr

Start Reading

Philosophy

Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

Samuel Johnson

Philosophy · B2–C1 · 3 hr

Start Reading

Poetry

The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749) and Two Rambler papers (1750)

Samuel Johnson

Poetry · B2–C1 · 33 min

Start Reading

Author FAQ

Where should I start?

Which Samuel Johnson book should I read first?

Explore A Grammar of the English Tongue, then compare the lengths and subjects of the available works.

Is the author portrait historical?

This is a Linden original, historically informed editorial portrait—not an archival photograph. It is based on commonly documented appearance and period clothing; reuse status: Linden original artwork.