Samuel Johnson: A Life

by David Nokes

A modern biography of Samuel Johnson that will serve as the definitive work on the legendary British man of lettersIn this groundbreaking portrait of Samuel Johnson, David Nokes positions the great thinker in his rightful place as an active force in the Enlightenment, not a mere recorder or performer, and demonstrates how his interaction with life impacted his work. This is the story of how Johnson struggled to define the English language, why he embarked upon such foolhardiness, and where he found the courage to do so. Moving beyond James Boswell’s seminal narrative about the life of the preeminent eighteenth-century novelist, literary critic, biographer, editor, essayist, and lexicographer, this biography addresses his life and action through the hitherto unexplored perspectives of such major players as Johnson’s wife, Tetty; Hester Thrale, in whose household he resided for seventeen years while working on his annotated Shakespeare; and Frances Barber, the black manservant who in many ways was like a son to Johnson. An in-depth interrogation of the primary sources, particularly the letters, offer surprising insight into Johnson’s formative experiences. At last, here’s a reading of the great man that will reveal the rightful glory of an enduring work and an incomparable scholar.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, British Literature

448 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

A scholar of 18th-century English literature, David Nokes, FRSL, was Professor of English Literature at King's College London. He attended King's College School, Wimbledon, London. He received an MA from Christ's College, Cambridge in 1972 and a Ph.D. in 1974.

Reviews

[Richard Epstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't figure out what this book is for. There's nothing wrong with it; it's smoothly and pleasantly written; but anyone who knew enough about Johnson to want to read it in the first place would find nothing here new or newly put. "Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed," said Johnson, but they could be reminded of everything here in dozens of other books already adequately written. Of the making of books there is no end.

[Andrew Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first biography of Samuel Johnson I've read, meaning much of the material was fresh to me. Until now I had a limited knowledge of the man.

I was inspired to read it having just finished a bio of Hester Thrale, his 'dear mistress'. I was surprised to be moved by the ending, which paints a picture of a melancholy, lonely man.

This book tells us that Johnson spent his life battling with his thought-life, his procrastination and his lack of income. It tells Johnson's story, occasionally digging into deeper analysis of his work and approach.

As an introduction to Johnson it's perhaps not ideal. Some of the writing was challenging - a few sentences required reading a few times over and even then I could not be sure what the author was saying.

I'm glad to have read it and, for now, I'll hang on to it as a reference for Johnson.

[Creina Lilburne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a wonderful insight into the life of a clever man who was all too human, making his way in 18th C England. Very factual - drawn from his letters and publications - but by the end one feels one really knows the man, so much so that it is possible to read between the lines to apprehend his sadness.

[Jan Wagg · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are numerous biographies of Samuel Johnson. In my opinion this is one of the better recent ones, not because it contains a lot of new information, but because Nokes has a humane and sympathetic understanding of Dr Johnson's character and psychology. It's very readable and not overwhelmingly long.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fantastically well-researched biography of Dr Samuel Johnson. It's both enlightening and educational, well-written, and full of amazing insights into the life of the author of the dictionary. It also explores his various relationships with a dazzling array of famous names of the 18th century. A must for anyone studying this period.

[Craig · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was far too much information on other people, many of whom had a small significance in his life, than about the main subject (Johnson). And what of his relationship to Ben Franklin and Frank Barber? I do not recommend this book.

[Garret Cahill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and highly readable biography of the always intriguing Samuel Johnson. Though never the last word, sir !

[Prudence Taphouse · Rating 1 out of 5]

Turgid

[Hubert]

Too much detail at the moment, high number of references and exploration of the literary circles of the times.

[Claire Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why this book has got such terrible reviews. I really didn't think it was that bad. That said, I was a bit disappointed as my image of Johnson was one of a man of wit and that didn't really come across in this book. Instead I found his character as drawn by Nokes to be kind of needy and whiny and somewhat annoying to be honest. But apart from that it was easy enough to read and I didn't find it as dull as other reviewers have indicated.

[A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Johnson doesn't come out as much of a person in this biography. It is more a he did this, then he went there, then he did that. One thing which did seem to come through is that Johnson didn't seem to take much effort in his work, and only to make money, because he did not have much...not the best image for a literary hero.

[Julie Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Johnson was a very interesting character, but I didn't find this to be an interesting bio. I don't feel that the author ever decided what he wanted to say. I also don't feel that Johnson the person ever really came through.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

this has got a bad rep -- because I think it cannot be read without a good knowledge of the 18th C. but as one gets into it it gets increasingly interesting.

[Rachael Singh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nokes has turned biography into literary criticism (yawn) and singularly failed to bring Johnson to life. I'm crushed with disappointment, I really am.

[Ken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Joyless bio. One would never know of Johnsons great wit, nor of his acheivements which are consistently underplayed. Rarely have I been more disappointed in a book.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite engaging...

[Idiosyncratic · Rating 1 out of 5]

Somehow Nokes manages to make Johnson just sound weird and even dull.