The Cambridge Companion to Samuel Johnson

This Companion, first published in 1997, provides an introduction to the works and life of one of the key figures in English literary history.

Greg Clingham (Edited by)

9780521556255, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 October 1997

288 pages, 10 b/w illus.
22.7 x 15.1 x 1.8 cm, 0.39 kg

'The Cambridge Companion to Samuel Johnson is not only an outstanding critical introduction to 'The Great Cham of Literature', it provides relevant background to the world in which he lived. There are notes appended to chapters and portraits and other illustrations, notably by Hogarth.' Library Association Record

The Cambridge Companion to Samuel Johnson, first published in 1997, provides an introduction to the works and intellectual life of one of the most challenging and wide-ranging writers in English literary history. Compiler of the first great English dictionary, editor of Shakespeare, biographer and critic of the English poets, author both of the influential journal Rambler and the popular fiction Rasselas, and one of the most engaging conversationalists in literary culture, Johnson is here illuminatingly discussed from a different point of view. Essays on his main works are complemented by thematic discussion of his views on the experience of women in the eighteenth century, politics, imperialism, religion, and travel as well as by chapters covering his life, conversation, letters, and critical reception. Useful reference features include a chronology and guide to further reading. The keynote to the volume is the seamlessness of Johnson's life and writing, and the extraordinary humane intelligence he brought to all his activities. Accessibly written by a distinguished group of international scholars, this volume supplies a stimulating range of approaches, making Johnson newly relevant for our time.

List of illustrations
Notes on contributors
Chronology
List of short titles and abbreviations
Introduction Greg Clingham
1. Extraordinarily ordinary: the life of Samuel Johnson Philip Davis
2. Johnson and the arts of conversation Catherine N. Parke
3. Johnson's poetry Howard D. Weinbrot
4. Johnson, the essay and The Rambler Paul J. Korshin
5. Johnson and the condition of women Eithne Henson
6. Johnson's dictionary Robert De Maria Jr
7. Johnson's politics Robert Folkenflik
8. Johnson and imperialism Clement Hawes
9. The skepticism of Johnson's Rasselas Fred Parker
10. Shakespeare: Johnson's poet of nature Philip Smallwood
11. Life and literature in Johnson's Lives of the Poets Greg Clingham
12. Johnson's Christian thought Michael Suarez, S. J.
13. 'From China to Peru': Johnson in the traveled world John Wiltshire
14. 'Letters about Nothing': Johnson and epistolary writing Tom Keymer
15. Johnson's critical reception Steven Lynn
Further reading
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: c 1500 to c 1800 [DSBD]