Samuel Johnson In Historical Context

Sudden shifts of perspective and hotly contested controversies have fundamentally changed our view of Johnson. This volume offers an informed account of what has been achieved, and points to the new directions in which scholarship is developing.

No area of Johnsonian studies has been less appreciated and more misunderstood than Johnson's response to history. Popular notions to the effect that he was insensitive to history have discouraged scholars and critics from discovering the role history played in his thinking. In this first book-length investigation of the subject, John A. Vance concludes that few misconceptions about Samuel Johnson have been so glaring as his supposed dislike of history. More specifically, in separate chapters Vance examines the development of Johnson's historical sense--from his readings, heritage, and travels to historical sites; Johnson's recall and use of historical figures and events, most notably the seventeenth-century attitude toward the most maligned member of the historical family, antiquarianism. The author also devotes two chapters to Johnson's historical writings--that is, those works in which he either incorporates history into his critical, biographical, and political discussions or those in which he clearly assumes the role of historian himself. Vance furthermore considers Johnson's views on historical facts, educative and moral history, the broadening scope of historical investigation, the nature of historical truth and skepticism, historical research, historical causation, and the historian's style.

Few authors benefit from being set in their contemporary context more than Samuel Johnson. Samuel Johnson in Context is a guide to his world, offering readers a comprehensive account of eighteenth-century life and culture as it relates to his work. Short, lively and eminently readable chapters illuminate not only Johnson's own life, writings and career, but the literary, critical, journalistic, social, political, scientific, artistic, medical and financial contexts in which his works came into being. Written by leading experts in Johnson and in eighteenth-century studies, these chapters offer both depth and range of information and suggestions for further study and research. Richly illustrated, with a chronology of Johnson's life and works and an extensive bibliography, this book is a major new work of reference on eighteenth-century culture and the age of Johnson.

Differentiated book- It has a historical context with research of the time-The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. (1791) by James Boswell is a biography of the English writer Dr. Samuel Johnson. The work was from the beginning a critical and popular success, and represents a milestone in the development of the modern genre. Biography He is notable for his extensive accounts of Johnson's conversation. Many have claimed it as the best biography written in English, but some modern critics object that the work cannot be considered an adequate biography. Boswell's personal acquaintance with his subject began in 1763, when Johnson was 54, and Boswell covered the entirety of Johnson's life through further investigation. The biography takes many critical liberties with Johnson's life, as Boswell makes several changes to Johnson's quotes and even censures many comments.However, the book is valued as an important source of information about Johnson and his time, as well as an important literary work. On May 16, 1763, when a 22-year-old Scotsman was visiting London, Boswell met Johnson at the bookstore of Johnson's friend, Tom Davies. They quickly became friends, although Boswell would only see Johnson for many years when he visited London in the intervals of his legal practice in Scotland.

In this provocative and incisive book the author re-examines Samuel Johnson's major texts, focusing on his famous review of Soame Jenyns's A Free Inquiry into the Nature and Origin of Evil as a principal source of insight and innovation. He offers a lucid exposition of its ideas and methods, defining for the first time its relation to an important strand in eighteenth-century intellectual history, and assessing its implications for Johnson's moral vision. Hinnant's book will be an indispensable guide for anyone interested in understanding what is most modern in Johnson's thought and writings.

This collection of writings by Samuel Johnson encompasses a wide range of topics, from poetry and literary criticism to politics and philosophy. Johnson's wit and insight are on full display in these volumes, making them essential reading for anyone interested in English literature or intellectual history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This book offers a carefully curated selection of passages from James Boswell's classic biography of Samuel Johnson, one of the most celebrated literary figures of the 18th century. The editor, RW Chapman, provides insightful commentary and background information to help readers appreciate the nuances and historical context of Boswell's work. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.