The Johnson Society

Founded in 1910, the Johnson Society encourages interest in the writings and life of Samuel Johnson, and in all aspects of the eighteenth century. The Society holds regular lectures and also arranges outings.

Each September, the Society participates in Lichfield’s celebrations of Johnson’s birthday, and holds a supper in the Guildhall, during which the Society’s new President is installed. Presidents have included many distinguished figures from various spheres, such as  the comedian and writer Frank Skinner, the lexicographer and etymologist Susie Dent, the poet and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the cartoonist Posy Simmonds and the Johnson scholar Robert DeMaria, Jr.

The Society supports the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum by helping to maintain and add to its contents, and by providing input to the Johnson Birthplace Advisory Committee; it also seeks to preserve other aspects of Lichfield’s Johnsonian heritage. One notable part of the latter is ‘Johnson’s Willow’, Samuel Johnson’s favourite tree; the Society works closely with Lichfield District Council on caring for the Willow, the fifth incarnation of which was planted in 2021.

Every year, members of the Society receive its published Transactions, which features reports on the Society’s activities, original articles on a wide range of relevant topics, book reviews and more. Though based in Lichfield, the Johnson Society has members across the UK and around the world, and offers a warm welcome to all who share its interests. To find out more about the Society and how to join, click here to visit the Johnson Society website.