Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) was an English writer, critic, and lexicographer whose influence shaped 18th-century British letters. Born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, he moved to London and became a leading man of letters, admired for his conversation as well as his prose. His landmark *A Dictionary of the English Language* (1755) set a new standard for English lexicography and remained authoritative for generations. Johnson also wrote essays, poems, and criticism, including *The Lives of the Poets* (1779–1781). He was a central figure in a wide literary circle and is memorably portrayed in James Boswell’s biography.