Places to go
Thought there couldn't possibly be anywhere to visit relating to a dictionary? Think again!
Dr Johnson's House
Johnson was commissioned to write a Dictionary of the English Language by a syndicate of printers. He rented 17 Gough Square, and compiled the dictionary in the garret. Johnson’s was the standard English dictionary for more than 150 years, superseded by the O.E.D. at the beginning of the 20th century.
Now restored to its original condition, visitors can see where Johnson and his assistants engaged in this monumental and scholarly task, finishing in 1755. The house contains panelled rooms, a pine staircase, and a collection of period furniture, prints and portraits. Situated to the north of Fleet Street, the house is found among a maze of courtyards and passages that are a reminder of historic London.
The collection consists of material relating to Dr Johnson and his circle of friends. There is a library of about 2,000 books, 100 prints, 20 oil paintings, 20 watercolours, period furniture, 50 manuscripts and a selection of personal items.
Address: 17 Gough Square
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
The house in Breadmarket Street in Lichfield facing the market square, is now a museum to Samuel Johnson's life, work and personality. It was built by his bookselling father, Michael, as a family home and bookshop a few months before Samuel’s birth.
The story of his life and achievements is told through pictures, furniture, manuscripts and personal items.
Visitors are encouraged to explore Johnson’s famous dictionary by means of CD-ROM and sample Staffordshire’s oatmeal, a Johnsonian favourite!
The museum is strong on objects relating to Elizabeth, Johnson's wife, and there are two libraries which specialise in Johnsonian and 18th century literature.
Address: Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Breadmarket Street, Lichfield
Central Library, Birmingham
The library holds The Johnson Collection – formed to celebrate the association of Dr Samuel Johnson with Birmingham – and its collection now numbers about 2,000 volumes of works by Johnson and books and periodicals about him.
It has an almost complete collection of first editions of Johnson’s works. Johnson’s Dictionary was the work that established his reputation. The library has the first edition, from 1755, in two large folio volumes, the rare original plan and numerous later editions, large and small, including the Rev. HJ Todd’s revised edition of 1818, a version which remained popular throughout the 19th century.
Address: Central Library, Arts, Languages and Literature, Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham
