Lives of the English Poets / Gay, Thomson, Young, Gray, &c.

Name: Lives of the English Poets / Gay, Thomson, Young, Gray, &c.
Author: Samuel Johnson

By Samuel Johnson

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Biographies British Literature

About This Book

The volume collects critical biographies of twenty English poets from the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, offering concise lives, assessments of their major works, and comparative judgments on their merits. Johnson combines literary criticism, moral evaluation, and biographical anecdotes to explain each poet’s style, influence, and idiosyncrasies, with one extended treatment among the entries. The prose alternates anecdote and critical analysis, noting successes, failures, and revisions in poetic production. An introductory survey situates the poets in chronological order and cultural context, guiding readers through shifting tastes and the period’s approach to nature, imagination, and poetic form.

About the Author

Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an influential English writer and lexicographer, best known for his comprehensive dictionary, "A Dictionary of the English Language," which laid the groundwork for modern lexicography. His literary contributions span various genres, including poetry, essays, and biography. Johnson's works often reflect his keen insight into human nature and society, as seen in his notable titles such as "A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland" and "Lives of the English Poets." He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time, engaging with contemporaries like James Boswell, whose biography of Johnson remains a classic. His legacy endures in the realms of literature and language.