[BBC 4] Samuel Johnson: The Dictionary Man

The Remarkable Journey of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

The Birth of a Literary Project

• In 1747, a significant literary endeavor began in an attic room in London, aiming to create a dictionary that would bring order to the English language akin to Newton's work on astronomy.

• This monumental task took nine years and was spearheaded by Samuel Johnson, described as an eccentric figure with physical impairments and peculiar habits.

Samuel Johnson: An Unlikely Hero

• Johnson's dictionary is regarded as one of the most important works in English literature, influencing dictionary writing globally for over 250 years.

• The dictionary comprises two volumes containing 42,773 words and over 100,000 illustrated quotations, showcasing the immense scale of this single-author project.

Personal Struggles and Triumphs

• Despite his remarkable achievement, Johnson faced numerous personal challenges including psychological difficulties that contrasted sharply with the orderly nature of his work.

• Much about Johnson’s life is known through James Boswell’s biography, which captures their conversations and insights into Johnson’s character.

Insights from Boswell's Biography

• Boswell met Johnson eight years post-publication of the dictionary and became captivated by him, documenting their interactions for over two decades.

• Johnson expressed a deep affection for London, viewing it as a hub of intellect and culture despite its social distances.

Early Life Influences on Johnson

• A portrait by Joshua Reynolds reflects on Johnson’s early years; he was born in Lichfield in 1709 but suffered from health issues throughout his childhood.

• His mother encouraged reading but preferred religious texts over classical literature. This tension shaped his intellectual development significantly.

Education and Intellectual Growth

• Despite being sickly as a child—contracting scrofula—Johnson developed a voracious appetite for reading Greek and Latin classics from his father's bookstore.

Oxford College Chapel and Samuel Johnson's Early Life

Overview of Oxford College Chapel

• The college chapel, built in the 18th century, was initially viewed as a monstrosity. It was under construction when Samuel Johnson began his studies at Oxford.

• At that time, the college had only about 40 students and fellows, making it impossible for Johnson to remain inconspicuous; he would have been well-known among peers.

Living Conditions and Student Life

• The stairs leading to Johnson's rooms lacked lighting, reflecting the hierarchical nature of 18th-century Oxford where living conditions indicated social status.

• Although Johnson considered himself a gentleman, his modest room did not align with this status; it was described as hardly larger than a cupboard.

• He arrived at Oxford with a significant amount of knowledge and brought along around one hundred volumes of books from Lichfield.

Academic Behavior and Attitude

• Johnson's account suggests he disregarded authority; during his first week, he missed tutorials and engaged in leisure activities instead of attending lectures.

• His behavior included skipping classes for drinking in taverns, which was atypical for new undergraduates expected to be diligent.

• This led to fines for missing lectures; he famously remarked on being fined tuppence for a lecture "not worth a penny."

Financial Struggles and Departure from College

• Upon arriving at Oxford, Johnson registered as the son of a gentleman due to shame over his family's trade background.

• College records from 1728–1729 contain detailed accounts of student expenditures but are written in an unbroken code that remains undeciphered.

• Annotations indicate that while some entries show him behaving well financially, others reveal fines against him.

Return Home and Family Dynamics

• After approximately 30 months at Oxford, financial difficulties forced Johnson to leave without adjusting his spending habits; he maintained consistent weekly expenses until abruptly disappearing from records.

• He returned home to manage his father's bookshop amid declining health but felt selling books was beneath him after his education.

Reflection on Family Relationships

• In retrospect, Johnson expressed regret over not helping his father shortly before his death. He later sought penance by standing bareheaded in rain at the site of their former bookstore.

Career Aspirations Post-Oxford

• Following his departure from college life, Johnson attempted to earn a living through writing essays and translations. Notably, he translated Father Jerome Lobo’s work on Abyssinia for payment.

Dr. Johnson's Unconventional Marriage and Life

The Marriage to Elizabeth Porter

• Dr. Johnson married a widow, Elizabeth Porter, who was over 20 years older than him; she claimed to be 40 but was likely closer to 45 or 46.

• Elizabeth gave up much for the marriage, losing her own home until later in life, which she could not fully enjoy due to poor health.

• Speculation exists that Johnson may have initially been interested in Elizabeth's daughter but turned to her after being spurned.

• Critics of Johnson suggest his marriage lacked consummation or that he was inept at intimacy, leading to various cynical interpretations of their relationship.

Early Career Challenges

• After failing as a writer, Johnson attempted to establish a school using his wife's money, which also failed due to his eccentric behavior deterring parents.

Understanding Dr. Johnson's Tourette Syndrome

• Descriptions from Fanny Burney highlight Johnson’s physical tics: constant mouth movement and hand twirling indicative of Tourette Syndrome.

• Boswell noted that Johnson made various sounds resembling phonic tics, suggesting an ongoing struggle with motor control.

Compulsions and Their Impact on His Work

• Individuals with Tourette often experience obsessions; Boswell noted Johnson had compulsive behaviors related to entering doors with specific steps.

• These "just right" compulsions are common in Tourette Syndrome and reflect a need for actions to feel correct before proceeding.

Literary Aspirations Amidst Adversity

• Despite challenges, Johnson pursued literary ambitions and moved to London in March 1737 amidst the culture of jobbing authors known as Grub Street.

• He faced initial rejection due to his appearance but eventually found work at the Gentleman’s Magazine under Edward Cave.

Formative Experiences in London

• At the Gentleman’s Magazine, he wrote reports on parliamentary debates and other pieces, gaining valuable experience as a jobbing author.

The Journey of Samuel Johnson and His Dictionary

Early Aspirations and Approach to Writing

• Writers often start with noble aspirations, but Samuel Johnson had a pragmatic approach, focusing on practical skills like shorthand and reporting. He was an omnivorous learner in the literary world.

Johnson's Arrival in London

• In his late 20s, Johnson arrived in London, finding intellectual stimulation that he missed since Oxford. He believed every man has a unique genius that leads to excellence.

The Changing Landscape of Literature

• The literary scene during the 1730s and 40s was evolving from aristocratic patronage to a more professional environment where booksellers played a crucial role in determining which projects were commissioned.

The Need for an English Dictionary

• A group of six booksellers recognized the need for a definitive English dictionary in 1746, marking a shift towards professionalism in literature as they sought to codify the language.

Commercial Endeavors in Literature

• Many of Johnson's significant projects were initiated by booksellers. He famously stated that no one but a blockhead writes for money, highlighting the importance of commercial endeavors within literature.

Institutionalizing Arts and Language

• The period saw efforts to institutionalize arts, paralleling developments like the British Museum. England lacked a standard dictionary compared to Italy and France, prompting calls for one.

National Identity Through Language

• There was a perceived deficiency in England’s linguistic standing among European nations. With Britain being relatively new (post-1707 Act of Union), there was pressure to establish an identity through language.

Selection of Johnson for the Project

• Robert Dodsley, an influential bookseller and friend of Johnson's, recognized his extraordinary talents and recommended him for the monumental task of creating the dictionary.

Commissioning the Dictionary

• In June 1746, Johnson signed a contract with booksellers promising £1,500 over three years. This funding allowed him to hire assistants and secure workspace necessary for such an extensive project.

Challenges Ahead: Timeframe Concerns

• Despite confidence in their methods, there were doubts about completing such an ambitious project within three years—especially when comparing it to French counterparts who took decades.

Unique Features of Johnson's Dictionary

• Unlike previous dictionaries that offered simple synonyms, Johnson aimed for elaborate definitions with illustrative quotations demonstrating word usage from esteemed authors.

Initial Research Phase

The Methodology of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

Transition from Alphabet to Literature

• Samuel Johnson recognized the limitations of starting with the alphabet for dictionary creation and opted instead to begin with English literature, analyzing around 2,000 books by approximately 500 authors over the previous 200 years.

The Role of Memory in Compilation

• Johnson's dictionary was significantly influenced by his extraordinary memory, allowing him to recall many quotations. However, this reliance on memory sometimes led to inaccuracies in the entries.

Canonical Writers and Language Representation

• The dictionary heavily featured quotations from canonical writers like Shakespeare, Milton, Dryden, and Pope. These selections often represented a language state that differed from mid-18th century usage.

Quotations as Illustrative Tools

• For three years, Johnson meticulously selected quotations to exemplify definitions. He aimed to show language in action through vivid examples drawn from literature.

A Comprehensive Knowledge Database

• Johnson aspired for his dictionary to serve as an extensive knowledge database akin to an 18th-century internet. He compiled over 100,000 quotations covering various subjects including history, politics, biology, and even unique topics like elephant mating habits.

Evolution of Ambitions: From Prescriptive to Descriptive

• Initially viewing his work as prescriptive—aiming to control language use—Johnson's perspective shifted during compilation. He realized that language evolves naturally and cannot be strictly regulated or legislated against change.

Complexity of Language Unveiled

• As he progressed with the dictionary up until 'U', Johnson faced challenges due to the complexity of language. His initial belief that words had limited applications was challenged when he discovered some verbs had numerous meanings.

Challenges Encountered During Compilation

The Challenges of Lexicography

Encountering the Complexity of Language

• Johnson's exploration of the verb "to bear" revealed its numerous meanings and phrasal variations, highlighting the complexity of English that previous dictionaries overlooked.

• Faced with dissatisfaction regarding his work, Johnson decided to revise his dictionary entries, feeling that they did not meet his expectations or standards.

Confrontation with Proprietors

• Johnson received a threatening letter from the Proprietors, demanding he submit his work; he responded firmly, rejecting their intimidation tactics.

• He expressed frustration over the quality of his work and insisted on needing more time and resources to adequately capture the richness of the English language.

Personal Struggles and Depression

• The pressure from publishers led Johnson into periods of depression, causing him to set aside dictionary work while grappling with feelings of guilt.

• His prayers and meditations reveal a tortured inner life marked by guilt over unmet aspirations and a desire for personal improvement.

Reflections on Ambition vs. Reality

• Initially envisioning an inspiring journey through literature, Johnson felt disillusioned as he confronted the realities of lexicography versus poetic dreams.

• He struggled with mental health issues, fearing madness and often reflecting on his own conscience regarding past actions and future goals.

Financial Hardships and Resilience

• By 1750, financial difficulties forced Johnson to lay off help while managing medical expenses for his sick wife.

• To address these challenges, he launched "The Rambler," a magazine filled with essays that reflected his disappointment in himself but also served as an outlet for expression.

Return to Work Amidst Grief

• After nearly two years away from dictionary work due to remorse over unfulfilled contracts, Johnson returned motivated by new financial arrangements despite limited resources.

• His renewed dedication was accompanied by increased social interactions until personal tragedy struck when his wife passed away in March 1752.

The Eccentric Household of Dr. Johnson

The Influence of Companionship on Johnson's Work

• Dr. Johnson experienced a hiatus in his life but was revitalized by the arrival of various individuals at his home, including a young Jamaican servant named Francis Barber.

• His household became a gathering place for eccentric characters from literary society, which helped rekindle his appetite for life and work.

• Among these new arrivals was Frank Barber, a 12-year-old freed slave who became like a son to Johnson until his death.

• Other notable figures included Robert Levitt, an unqualified doctor, and Anna Williams, a blind poet claiming to have participated in early electricity experiments.

• Despite frequent arguments among the inhabitants, Johnson preferred their company over solitude; he feared being alone.

The Creation of the Dictionary

• Once motivated, Johnson produced 80% of his dictionary within two years with assistance from just two amanuenses.

• Had he worked in an academic setting, he might have had better resources and organization for the dictionary project.

• Before publication, Johnson sought academic credentials to lend credibility to his work due to past grievances about not having a degree from Oxford.

• He pressured Oxford contacts until they granted him letters after his name that were crucial for the title page of the dictionary.

• The dictionary was published on April 15th, 1755; it initially sold for £4 and 10 shillings per copy.

Financial Struggles Post-Publication

• Despite becoming a national figure after publishing the dictionary, Johnson faced financial difficulties and had to vacate his house due to inability to pay rent.

• He encountered legal troubles related to debt shortly after publication but received help from novelist Samuel Richardson during this time.

• It wasn't until 1762 that King George III awarded him a pension that alleviated his financial struggles significantly.

Legacy and Continued Work

• Throughout his life post-dictionary publication, Johnson continued writing essays and works on Shakespeare while maintaining prominence in literary circles as "the King of Literary London."

• He expressed uncertainty about whether he added value to English literature but believed strongly in the importance of making knowledge accessible through dictionaries.

Johnson's Expressive Features and Legacy

The Nature of Johnson's Expressions

• Johnson is described as having a large head with expressive features, but his default expressions do not convey happiness; instead, they suggest unhappiness.

• The mouth is noted to be twisted in a way that implies a lack of joy, contributing to the overall impression of discontent.

Johnson's Dictionary: A Lasting Impact

• Over 250 years after its publication, Johnson's dictionary remains influential, setting standards for modern dictionaries like the Oxford English Dictionary.

• Johnson referred to his dictionary as "his book," indicating it was his proudest achievement and earned him the nickname "Dictionary Johnson."

Critiques of the Dictionary

• Some criticisms arose regarding unusual word choices and omissions; notable exclusions include "blonde" and "bank note," despite familiarity with these terms.

• However, he included unique words like "remeny," which means pissing backwards, showcasing his eclectic approach to language.

Importance of Authors in Society