Samuel Johnson Encyclopedia

This is the first-ever attempt to present all the significant facts about Samuel Johnson in a single volume. The 650 alphabetically arranged entries cover every aspect of Johnson's life, career, and personality. The volume describes each of his works in detail, examining such matters as composition, publication, and reception. It gives up-to-date accounts of his attitude on key themes and concepts and explores his central ideas on literary, moral, political, social, and religious questions. It provides biographies of all persons with whom Johnson had any sort of real contact and gives a detailed picture of the Club and its members. This is a one-stop aid that will enable students and readers of Johnson to locate almost any fact about him quickly and easily.

Samuel Johnson was one of the most important literary figures of the 18th century, which was sometimes known as the Age of Johnson. He authored a pioneering dictionary of the English language, edited Shakespeare, composed poetry and drama, and wrote numerous prose works on moral, philosophical, religious, political, and domestic concerns. Immortalized through Boswell's biography, he is as well-known for his traits and habits (including his witty and combative manner of conversation) as for his prodigious achievements in the world of letters. This encyclopedia is a comprehensive guide to Johnson and his milieu.

This pioneering volume contains more than 650 alphabetically arranged entries on every aspect of Johnson's life, career, and personality. It describes each of his works in detail, examining such matters as composition, publication, and reception. It gives up-to-date accounts of his attitude on key themes and concepts, and explores his central ideas on literary, moral, political, social, and religious questions. It provides biographies of all the persons with whom Johnson had any sort of real contact, ranging from his close friends in the world of the arts and publishing, to his domestic intimates and servants, his extended family, and even his cat. A full system of cross-referencing allows readers to locate subjects and entries with ease. This is a one-stop aid which will enable students and readers of Johnson to locate almost any fact about him quickly and easily, and will provide guidance for any more detailed research which may be called for.

A comprehensive and fully-indexed guide to Samuel Johnson, covering all aspects of his work, life, and personality. It is the first single-volume reference tool which enables the reader to locate facts on Johnson's ideas on many topics and to trace his thought in all areas.

Library Journal

Rogers, a prolific scholar, particularly on topics of Johnson's era, has gathered here for the first time "all the essential facts" about Sam Johnson in one reference volume. Her work includes facts, interpretation, opinions, and such Johnson quips as "I am willing to love all mankind, except an American." There is detailed information on subjects like Johnson's health and the mutual dislike between Johnson and David Hume. The book abounds with bibliographic and cross references and has an excellent index. Even though Johnson is not studied as much as he once was, this is an essential purchase for larger libraries supporting advanced English literature programs. Other library programs should also consider spending on this scholarly, entertaining, and browsable book.Peter A. Dollard, Alma Coll. Lib., Mich.

PAT ROGERS is DeBartolo Chair in the Liberal Arts at the University of South Florida.