The Cambridge Companion to Samuel Johnson

The Cambridge Companion to Samuel Johnson provides a unique 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.

• The first comprehensive introductory guide to Johnson’s works and life • Useful chronology and further reading for reference • Includes thematic chapters on a range of topics of current relevance: women, politics, imperialism, and travel: a view of Johnson for our time • Distinguished international team of contributors writing for a student and general readership • All essays newly commissioned for this Companion

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.

‘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 more than fulfils the goals which its sets for itself: it provides a comprehensive, interesting, and reliable introduction to Johnsonian studies.’ The New Rambler

‘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