Samuel Johnson Quote Ultimate Collection - The Wit and Wisdom of Samuel Johnson E-Book

Samuel Johnson

• Herausgeber: Imagination Books
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 25

Beschreibung

The Wit and Wisdom of Samuel Johnson

This is the world’s best Samuel Johnson quotes collection, including the wittiest and most poignant words from the man known as one of the most quoted men in the English language (second only to Shakespeare).

Plus, included is a short biography of the amazing man’s unique and unbelievable life. Johnson is known for his amazing wordplay, his creation of the first ever English dictionary, and his sharp, biting, satiric humor.

So, get this quote collection right now and start enjoying and being inspired by the words inside like never before!

Leseprobe

THE WIT AND WISDOM OF SAMUEL JOHNSON – SAMUEL JOHNSON QUOTES ULTIMATE COLLECTION

Editor Gabrielle Moore

THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON

Samuel Johnson was born to Michael Johnson, a bookseller, and his wife, Sarah. He was born with a number of physical afflictions (which led to various medical treatments that left him with disfiguring scars), was nearly blind in his left eye, and suffered from highly noticeable tics that may have been Tourette’s syndrome.

Despite this, Johnson grew into a strong and robust man, with great physical strength. In addition to this, he was recognized for his amazing intelligence, as well as his pride.

He attended a grammar school known for its brutal headmaster, and then entered Pembroke College in Oxford. Unfortunately, he stayed for only 13 months, because he lacked the money to carry on. It was during this year that Johnson read William Law’s ‘A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life’, which led him to a religious life.

In 1732, a year after his father’s death and his first publication - a translation of Alexander Pope’s “Messiah” into Latin - he became undermaster at Market Bosworth grammar school.

Unfortunately, the position was difficult because of an overbearing superior and so Johnson left the position.

After failing to find another appointment, he joined a friend in Birmingham, publishing some essays the same year.

In 1735, Johnson married Elizabeth Porter, a widow 20 years older than him (noting that he had chosen her for both her appearance and intelligence). His wife’s marriage settlement allowed him to open a school. One of his students, David Garrick, would become the greatest English actor of the age and a lifelong friend. During this time, Johnson write his play Irene (about Sultan Mahomet and his live for a Christian slave).

Unfortunately, the school soon failed and both Johnson and Garrick left for London in 1737.

There, he worked as a hack writer churning out articles in an effort to earn money. He began contributing to The Gentleman's Magazine in 1738. Also that year, he anonymously published the poem "London" - a well-received political satire.

After many years as a hack writer, it was in 1746 that Johnson agreed to start one of the major projects of his career: A Dictionary of the English Language.

The mammoth undertaking took nearly a decade to complete, and while working on it he also received notice for his work in the Rambler, a twice-weekly publication that came out between 1750 and 1752. Johnson's wife was especially fond of these works.

Finally, in 1755, Johnson's dictionary was published. It brought his great acclaim but little financial reward.

And so Johnson continued writing, with later works including The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759) and a collection of essays for The Idler.