Timeline

1709 

Samuel Johnson is born in Lichfield above the bookshop in his parents’ house in Breadmarket Street. His parents are Michael Johnson (around 1657-1731) and Sarah Johnson (1669-1759). The family run their bookselling business on the ground floor.

1712

Around 1712, Samuel Johnson receives the ‘royal touch’ of Queen Anne. Johnson had scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis). In the 1700s some believed that being touched by royalty would cure this infection.

Johnson’s brother, Nathaniel Johnson (1712-1737), is born.

1714

Johnson goes to Dame Oliver’s Infant School on Dam Street in Lichfield. His teacher is Ann Oliver (died 1731) who also runs the school. He subsequently attends a school run by Thomas Browne.

1717

Johnson goes to Lichfield Grammar School.

1719

Johnson enters upper school (at Lichfield Grammar School) and is taught by Reverend John Hunter (around 1674-1741), who was known to be extremely strict.

1725

Johnson visits his cousin Cornelius Ford (1694-1731) in Pedmore, near Stourbridge.

1726

Johnson returns home to Lichfield. His teacher, Reverend John Hunter, refuses to let him return to Lichfield Grammar School after his long absence visiting Cornelius Ford.

He enters Stourbridge School as a boarder, which means that he lived and studied at the school.

1728

Johnson goes to Pembroke College, a historic college in Oxford University. He lives there on the second floor of the gatehouse tower. He translates Alexander Pope’s poem, Messiah into Latin as a college exercise.   

1729

After only a year, Johnson leaves Pembroke College and returns home to Lichfield.   

1730 – 1731

Johnson is back at home in Lichfield (the Birthplace). He’s applying for teaching positions but with no success.

1731

On 7 December Johnson’s father, Michael Johnson (around 1657-1731), dies.

1732

Johnson spends a few months as an usher at the Grammar School in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. An usher is an assistant to a headteacher or schoolmaster. He has teaching duties as part of this role. 

He visits his childhood friend, Edmund Hector (1708-1794), a surgeon in Birmingham.

1733

Johnson is lodging in Birmingham and extends his social circle in the area. It’s possible that he meets his future wife, Elizabeth “Tetty” Porter, around this time.

1734

Johnson briefly goes back to Lichfield before returning to Birmingham.

1735

Johnson is working as a tutor near Lichfield.

His first book is published. It’s an English translation of Joachim Le Grand’s (1653-1733) French edition (1735) of Jerónimo Lobo’s (1595-1678) A Voyage to Abyssinia (1735).

On 9 July, he marries Elizabeth “Tetty” Porter (1689-1752) in Derby.

He opens his own school, Edial Hall School, near Lichfield.

1737

Johnson’s school at Edial closes due to a lack of pupils.

On 2 March, Johnson travels to London to seek a career as a writer. He is accompanied by his friend David Garrick (1717-1779) who had been a pupil at Edial.

Johnson’s brother, Nathaniel, dies.

Johnson’s wife, Tetty, joins him in London.

Johnson works for Edward Cave (1691-1754), printer, publisher, magazine editor, and founder of the Gentleman’s Magazine. The monthly magazine was targeted towards educated readers; articles covered wide-ranging topics from news and general interest to Latin poetry.

Johnson tries to get his play Irene performed. He writes his poem entitled London: A Poem, in Imitation of the Third Satire of Juvenal.

1738

Johnson begins writing for the Gentleman’s Magazine. His poem, London: A Poem, in Imitation of the Third Satire of Juvenal, is published.

1739

In May, Johnson’s close friend, the poet Richard Savage (1697-1743) leaves London. Richard Savage had gained fame and notoriety after being convicted of murder and sentenced to the death penalty in 1727. He was subsequently pardoned following petitions from his influential friends.

Johnson has two political satires published: Marmor Norfolciense and A Compleat Vindication of the Licensers of the Stage.

Johnson’s English translation of A Commentary on Mr. Pope’s, Principles of Morality, Or Essay on Man, is published. The translation is of Jean Pierre de Crousaz’s (1663-1750) Commentaire sur la traduction en vers de M. Abbé Du Resnel, de l’Essai de M. Pope sur l’homme (1736).

He unsuccessfully applies to be the headmaster at a school in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire.

He visits Lichfield and Ashbourne, a town in Derbyshire. On his trip to Lichfield, he spends time with his friend Molly Aston (1706-around 1765). In Ashbourne, Samuel meets his friend Hill Boothby (1708-1756) for the first time.

1740 

Johnson visits Lichfield; this is his last trip to his home city until 21 years later.

He continues to write for the Gentleman’s Magazine. He writes about the lives of Admiral Robert Blake (1598-1657), Sir Francis Drake (around 1540-1596), and physicians Hermann Boerhaave (1668-1738) and Thomas Sydenham (1624-1689).

He begins writing Debates in Parliament for the Gentleman’s Magazine.

1741

Johnson takes over as sole author of Debates in Parliament for the Gentleman’s Magazine.

1742

Johnson writes Life of Sydenham, about the physician, Thomas Sydenham (1624-1689).

1743

Johnson’s friend, Richard Savage dies.

Johnson contributes to Robert James’, A Medicinal Dictionary; including Physic, Surgery, Anatomy, Chymistry, and Botany, in all Branches Relative to Medicine (1743-1745).  Robert James (around 1703-1776) was a physician, and a schoolfriend of Samuel’s.

Johnson, along with antiquarian, William Oldys (1696-1761), is employed by bookseller Thomas Osborne (around 1704-1767) to work on his Catalogue of the Harleian Library.

1744

Johnson’s Life of Mr Richard Savage is published, a biography of his friend.

1745

Johnson’s Miscellaneous Observations on the Tragedy of Macbeth is published.

1746

On 18 June, Johnson signs a contract to produce a complete and accurate dictionary of the English language. The contract, worth 1,500 guineas, is with printer and publisher, William Strahan (1715-1785) and associates.

Johnson moves into no.17 Gough Square, London.

1747

Johnson writes a prologue for the reopening of the Drury Lane theatre. The theatre is managed by his friend David Garrick.

Johnson’s The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Dictionary is published.  

1748

Life of Roscommon is published in the Gentleman’s Magazine.

The Vision of Theodore the Hermit is published by Robert Dodsley (1703-64) in the second volume of The Preceptor, an educational publication. Samuel also wrote the preface for volume one.

1749

The Vanity of Human Wishes. The Tenth Satire of Juvenal Imitated by Samuel Johnson is published.

Johnson’s play, Irene, is published. It is first performed in February at Drury Lane Theatre, which was managed by Johnson’s friend David Garrick and his brother Peter Garrick. David Garrick also starred in the play.

Johnson formed the Ivy Lane Club around 1748/9. This literary and social club met to enjoy food and conversation at the Kings Head on Ivy Lane, London. Members included the physician Dr Richard Bathurst (died 1762), the scholar and linguist Samuel Dyer (1725-1772), the writer John Hawkesworth (1720-1773), the bookseller John Payne (died 1787), and the merchant John Ryland (around 1717-1798).

1750

Johnson writes essays for his periodical, The Rambler. A series of 208 essays is published on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 20 March 1750 to 14 March 1752.

Prologue to Comus is published.

Johnson’s preface and postscript for William Lauder’s (died 1771) Essay on Milton’s Use and Imitation of the Moderns, In His Paradise Lost is published.

1751

Johnson’s Life of Cheynel is published in The Student.

1752

Johnson’s periodical, The Rambler, finishes on 14 March. Three days later, on 17 March, his wife, Tetty, dies. He writes a sermon for Tetty.

Francis ‘Frank’ Barber (around 1742-1801) joins Johnson’s household as his servant. Frank was an important person in Johnson’s life.

1753

Johnson begins the second volume of the Dictionary of the English Language.

Johnson writes for The Adventurer, a periodical started by writer and book editor, John Hawkesworth (1720-1773).

1754

Johnson writes about the life of Edward Cave (1691-1754) for the Gentleman’s Magazine.

1755

The University of Oxford awards Johnson the degree of Master of Arts.

In February, Johnson writes a letter to Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773), who was the patron of The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language (1747). The letter is in response to the publication of Chesterfield’s essays in The World. 

Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language is published on 15 April.

1756

An abridged edition of A Dictionary of the English Language is published.

Johnson writes for and helps edit the Literary Magazine; contributing essays such as Memoirs of the King of Prussia.

Johnson publishes a new edition of Christian Morals by Sir Thomas Browne (1605–1682), which includes Johnson’s biography of Browne.

Johnson signs a contract and issues a proposal for The Plays of William Shakespeare.

Johnson’s friend, the artist, Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), begins his first portrait of Johnson.

1757

Johnson continues to write for the Literary Magazine.

1758

Johnson is briefly arrested for debt. Writer and printer, Samuel Richardson (1689-1761), gives Johnson money to pay off the debt. Johnson starts writing The Idler, a series of essays published in The Universal Chronicle, a weekly newspaper.

1759

Johnson’s mother, Sarah Johnson, dies and is buried at Lichfield on 23 January, he does not attend the funeral. To help with funeral costs, he writes The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia, which is published around 19 April.

Johnson moves out of Gough Square.

1760

Johnson concludes writing The Idler.

1761

In winter, Johnson visits Lichfield for the first time in 21 years.

1762

In July, Johnson is awarded a royal pension of £300 per year.

On 26 September, Johnson sees the sea for the first time on a trip to Devon with his friend Sir Joshua Reynolds.

Johnson was part of a committee enquiring into the Cock Lane ghost.

1763

On 16 May, Johnson meets James Boswell (1740-1795), author of Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), for the first time.

1764

Johnson and Joshua Reynolds form a dining club, known as The Club. At various points the Club was also called the Literary Club, Johnson’s Club, or the Turk’s Head Club.

1765

On 9 January, Johnson meets Hester Lynch Thrale (later Hester Lynch Piozzi) (1741-1821) and her husband, Henry Thrale (1728/29-1781).

Johnson is awarded an honorary doctorate by Trinity College, Dublin.

1766

Johson spends summer with his good friends, the Thrale family, at their home in Streatham.

1767

In February, Johnson is honoured with a private conversation with King George III.

Johnson spends May to October in Lichfield.

1768

Johnson helps his friend, Henry Thrale, with his parliamentary election.

1769

Johnson is appointed honorary professor in ancient literature at the Royal Academy.

1770

Johnson’s political pamphlet, The False Alarm, is published.

1771

Johnson’s political pamphlet, Thoughts on the late Transactions Respecting Falklands Islands, is published.

1772

Johnson revises the Dictionary.

1773

In March, the revised edition of the Dictionary is published.

From August to November, Johnson tours the Scottish Hebrides with James Boswell.

Johnson’s friend Thomas Davies (around 1713–1785), a bookseller and author, publishes Miscellaneous and Fugitive Pieces; most of the contents were by Johnson, reprinted without his permission. Johnson is at first annoyed with Davies, but quickly forgives him.

1774

From July to September, Johnson visits Wales with his friends, the Thrales.

Johnson’s political pamphlet The Patriot is published.

1775

Following Johnson’s trip to the Hebrides, his travel narrative, A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland is published.

Johnson’s political pamphlet Taxation no Tyranny is published.

Johnson receives an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Civil Law) from Oxford University.

From September to November, Johnson visits Paris with his friends the Thrales and Giuseppe Marc’Antonio Baretti (1719-1789), a writer, critic, poet, translator, and linguist.

1776

Johnson moves into his last home at Bolt Court, London.

Johnson and James Boswell visit the Thrales in Bath.

Johnson’s Political Tracts is published.

1777

Johnson meets novelist, diarist, and playwright Frances Burney (later Madame d’Arblay) (1752-1840).

Johnson sets about writing The Lives of the Poets (1779-1781).

1778

Johnson is writing The Lives of the Poets.

1779

On 20 January, Johnson’s friend David Garrick dies. Hel attends the funeral at Westminster Abbey on 1 February.

In March, the first four volumes of Johnson’s The Lives of the Poets are published.

1780

Johnson writes the last volumes of The Lives of the Poets. He also contributes to Thomas Davies’ Memoirs of the Life of David Garrick (1781).

1781

On 4 April, Johnson’s friend, Henry Thrale, dies.

The last volumes of Johnson’s The Lives of the Poets are published.

Johnson’s The Beauties Of Johnson, Consisting Of Maxims And Observations: Moral, Critical And Miscellaneous is published.

1782

Johnson stays at the Thrales’ home in Streatham for the last time. Hester Thrale moves to London. The friendship between Johnson and Hester begins to break down.

1783

A revised edition of The Lives of the Poets is published.

On 17 June Johnson has a stroke.

Johnson forms the Essex Head Club, a dining club meeting three times a week at the Essex Head tavern in London.

1784

On 23 July, Johnson’s friend Hester marries musician Gabriel Piozzi (1741-1809).

Between July and November, Johnson visits Lichfield, Ashbourne, and Oxford. This will be his last trip.

In November, Johnson returns to London. His health is deteriorating. On 8 December he makes his will, followed by a codicil the next day (a codicil is an addition and/or amendment to an existing will).

On 13 December at around 7:15pm, Johnson dies peacefully at his home. Francis Barber and Elizabeth Desmoulins (1716-86) are in the house when he dies. His funeral takes place on 20 December at Westminster Abbey, where he is buried.