Samuel Johnson: The Struggle

by Jeffrey Meyers

Ford Madox Ford declared Samuel Johnson “the most tragic of all our major literary figures.” Blessed with a formidable intellect and a burning passion for ideas, Johnson also struggled throughout his life with mental instability and numerous physical defects. One of the most illustrious figures of the English literary tradition, Johnson made his fame as poet, essayist, critic, dictionary-maker, conversationalist, and all-around larger-than-life personality. His success was all the greater for the adversity he had to overcome in achieving it.Drawing on a lifetime of study of Johnson and his era, as well as a wide array of new archival materials, noted biographer Jeffrey Meyers tells the extraordinary story of one of the great geniuses of English letters. Johnson emerges in his portrait as a mass of contradictions: lazy and energetic, aggressive and tender, melancholy and witty, comforted yet tormented by religion. He was physically repulsive and slovenly in dress and habits, but his social ideas were progressive and humane—he strongly opposed slavery and the imperial exploitation of indigenous peoples. He gave generously to the poor and homeless, rescued prostitutes, and defended criminals who’d been condemned to hang. But these charitable acts could not dispel the darkness that clouded his world: overwhelming guilt and fear of eternal damnation.

A masterful portrait of a brilliant and tormented figure, this book reintroduces a new generation of readers to the heroic Dr. Johnson.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

552 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Jeffrey Meyers, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, has recently been given an Award in Literature by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Thirty of his books have been translated into fourteen languages and seven alphabets, and published on six continents. He lives in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope to record further responses to this book in future. At this point, however, it seems clear that Meyers' biography derives from the insights into Johnson's highly troubled life that Richard Holmes developed in "Dr. Johnson and Mr. Savage" an altogether astonishing example of the work that we have now in the "golden age" literary biography." Holmes investigates Johnson's highly disordered inner life in the context of a single relationship. Holmes extends this analysis to an entire life.

I have little sympathy for Samuel Johnson, an odious specimen of literary thuggery if there ever was one. But I do find myself relenting from time to time, when his suffering is at extremes. I wonder why did that man consented to live at all. And why did he struggle to live with that suffering until Nature forced him to draw his last breath? But we can only guess - even though his dying was a very public event, just as one would expect.

[Orin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second biography of Dr. Johnson in less than a year. I have four or five more around here somewhere and I wonder if I can get to the all before Dr. J's birthday in September, his 300th. If you don't have the time for the whole thing, do sample chapter five for an excellent evocation of 18th century London in the 1730s. You should also look at the final chapter, which makes some excellent observations on Johnson's legacy, his effect on Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, and Nabokov. I think I have to read Pale Fire, maybe next or certainly soon. (The treatment of the Doctor's relationship with the Thrales is also excellent.)

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel Johnson was really odd. A sample:

"Johnson nourished and cared for a number of life's casualties who found with him a sure but sorrowful retreat from the evils of the world.... Johnson's household included Anna Williams, a shrewish blind woman; Francis Barber, a freed black slave; Poll Carmichael and Bet Flint, two prostitutes who occasionally reverted to their trade; Elizabeth Desmoulins, a perpetually discontented widow; and Robert Levet, a medical quack; and some of their dependents."

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written but probably of interest only to the specialist.

[Anson Cassel Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meyers’ provides a thoughtful biography of the strange and brilliant Dr. Samuel Johnson, nicely balanced between an examination of his life and some extended remarks about his literary opus—today largely ignored by all but scholars. Meyers also emphasizes Johnson’s intimate (though often awkward and contentious) relationships with contemporary authors and artists as well as those with his odd housemates, who collectively served as a sort of substitute family. A final chapter reflects on Johnson’s influence on later writers.

To my mind, some of Meyer’s comparisons are a stretch; and I remain skeptical that Johnson’s references to whips, chains, and locks are literal allusions to masochistic practice. Nevertheless, Johnson was such an unusual character—by turns kindly, churlish, generous, and quarrelsome—that nothing would truly surprise me.

[John P · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great Doctor is an interesting character, to say the very least. I am tempted to seek and read Boswell's book as a follow-up.

The trials that Johnson endured during childhood must have bolstered his constitution; he lived, with all his medical and psychological issues to the then very ripe old age of 75. The book describes vividly the conditions of life in London, the Midlands, and elsewhere and, believe me, the degree of improvement in social conditions that most of enjoy today cannot be overstated.

Johnson is filled with contradictions and, true to his own self-reflection, could and sometimes did argue both side of an issue, apparently enjoying argumentation in itself. I noticed that he contradicted himself on some important issues later in life but had no problem making seemingly solid arguments to justify, or rationalize, his actions and beliefs.

Author Meyers warns us up front that he does not take a strictly chronological view; he uses a thematic approach which can put the reader, me at least, into some confusion over dates and biographical sequence. But the approach works well after all.

There is a degree of repetition of quotes which I found slightly annoying. But, since there is only a finite amount of source material extant, this repetition is understandable and acceptable. Indeed, it gives the reader a chance to really absorb some of Johnson's more memorable experiences and sayings.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a literary biography of a bizarre in character/brilliant in language author of 18th century. While it was hard to get through due to my unfamiliarity with the time period (history and literature of) in question, it was well worth it. Going on my "To Read List" are some of his works that are in my Norton's Anthology of English Literature.

[Pam Lindholm-levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel Johnson had a huge intellect and a huge but unmanageable body. He upheld the prejudices and cultural norms of his day. What is it about his story that appeals to me. This biography discloses perhaps more than one wants to know about one of the giants of English language and letters.
And here's my guilty secret, I like him a lot because he had a cat named Hodge, and bought him oysters.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

In honor of Johnson's 300th birthday there are TWO new biographies out (at least as far as I know.) This looked like the better of the two, so we'll see...
A fascinating individual and a very readable biography. Paints a picture of a quite different Johnson than the one I read in school.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second of two new biographies of Samuel Johnson, the great man of literature. Meyers' work is thematic and biographical with intense emphasis on the subject matter and less inquiry into the minutia of Johnson's daily eccentric existence. A provocative and well written account.

[Jim]

After reading Anthony Lane's review in The New Yorker, how could I pass this one up?

[Christan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth the read so far.

[Gramarye · Rating 3 out of 5]

An often clunky writing style makes this biography of Samuel Johnson a bit wearying to read, but worth looking into as an introduction to the life of a very complicated man.

[Alan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it tedious. Johnson became more and more unpleasant as it went along.

[Lauren Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography. What amazed me was how I cheered for Johnson the same way I would in a novel. I didn't know that non fiction could make me do that, until now.

[Leslie Stein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another slog although the subject was certainly a coloful person.