Overview
Samuel Johnson, from early boyhood, lived with the knowledge that his homely face, large and ungainly body, loud voice, and odd mannerisms put people off. He later confessed that he had never made an effort to please others until past thirty, “considering the matter as hopeless.” Yet he managed to gather about him as friends, especially during the last quarter of his life, some of the most fascinating and accomplished people of the day. These friendships were not always smooth, and some did not last, but Johnson valued the individuals nonetheless. Actor, painter, playwright, novelist, Greek scholar, miscellaneous writer, biographer, leading bluestocking, wealthy man-of-fashion: they represented a wide range of talents and personalities. Johnson brought them together as a group, and all testified that in knowing him they became far better persons than they otherwise would have been. This book focuses on ten key figures, aside from Johnson himself, of the so-called Johnson circle. It explores their characters, their contributions to society, their relationships with one another, and their indebtedness to Samuel Johnson.
Full Product Details
Author: Lyle Larsen
Publisher: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
Imprint: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.30cm
, Height: 2.10cm
, Length: 21.90cm
Weight: 0.535kg
ISBN: 9781683931171
ISBN 10: 1683931173
Pages: 348
Publication Date: 19 September 2019
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Out of stock
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.
Reviews
In this accessible book, Larsen (Santa Monica College) offers a basic introduction to Samuel Johnson’s friendships with nine “principal” members of what has become known as the ""Johnson circle"": Boswell, Goldsmith, Henry and Hester Thrale, Garrick, Reynolds, Langton, Beauclerk, and Frances Burney.... [G]eneral readers coming to the topic for the first time will be informed and entertained by a lively and congenial narrative of one of the most fascinating collections of people in literary history. Summing Up: Recommended...Lower- and upper-level undergraduates; general readers. * CHOICE *
In this accessible book, Larsen (Santa Monica College) offers a basic introduction to Samuel Johnson's friendships with nine principal members of what has become known as the Johnson circle : Boswell, Goldsmith, Henry and Hester Thrale, Garrick, Reynolds, Langton, Beauclerk, and Frances Burney.... [G]eneral readers coming to the topic for the first time will be informed and entertained by a lively and congenial narrative of one of the most fascinating collections of people in literary history. Summing Up: Recommended...Lower- and upper-level undergraduates; general readers. * CHOICE *
Author Information
Lyle Larsen is professor emeritus of English at Santa Monica College.
