MY SAM JOHNSON

A Samuel Johnson aficionado surveys the author’s life in this biographical work.

Ever since Jones first read Johnson’s writings in the early 1980s at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, he’s been drawn to Johnson’s eclectic 18th-century poetry, plays, essays, and other writings, including a prominent dictionary. In this biography, Jones seeks to vindicate a writer whom he believes hasn’t consistently received fair appraisals. His professor at Memorial University, for example, critiqued the “lack of any readily perceived symmetry” in a collection of Johnson’s essays. He also opines that Johnson’s most well-known biography, written by contemporary and acquaintance James Boswell, presents a “skewed” narrative. This book argues that Johnson should rightfully be ranked alongside Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift as one of the most important writers of the 18th century, as reflected in his entombment in the preeminent Westminster Abbey. His diverse body of work ranges from fables and sermons to travelogues and an annotated volume of Shakespeare’s plays. This book features many of Johnson’s quotes, along with Jones’ accompanying learned commentary and historical context. Although the author doesn’t hide his admiration for his subject, he’s also unafraid to explore Johnson’s personal difficulties, including episodes of depression, and personal aspects, such as his sexual habits. As a biography that targets general readers, the book more than succeeds in its mission to offer an accessible account of Johnson’s life and work in fewer than 200 pages. Jones, the author of multiple books and a former academic librarian, is a skilled writer who carefully balances erudite literary analysis with an engaging writing style. The book’s impressive research is backed by a network of endnotes and a bibliography, both of which reflect a firm command over Johnson’s extensive work and relevant scholarly literature alike.

A well-researched introduction to an 18th-century literary star.