A Preface to Samuel Johnson

by Thomas M. Woodman

This series of informative guides provides useful insights into the lives and works of many major writers, placing their works in their biographical and cultural contexts. It provides all the material needed for an appreciation of the life of "Dr Johnson", one of the finest English moralists and literary critics. It begins with a detailed biography and chronological survey of his main work and then considers Johnson's religious and political attitudes and his place in intellectual history, demonstrating how he reformulated traditional ideas for a new world of science and commercialism. It provides a sketch of the 18th century literary schemes, discussing Johnson's extensive involvement in the literary life of his time, both as a professional writer and literary critic and it includes a detailed analysis of representatives passages and concludes with a reference section of biographies of significant figures in his life and work, places to visit and further reading.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993