The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: Together with his Life, and Notes on his Lives of the Poets

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: Together with his Life, and Notes on his Lives of the Poets
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Samuel Johnson
Edited by John Hawkins
SeriesCambridge Library Collection - Literary Studies
Series part Volume No. Volume 1
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:636
Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 140
Category/GenreLiterary studies - general
Literary studies - c 1500 to c 1800
Literary studies - poetry and poets
ISBN/Barcode 9781108031714
ClassificationsDewey:821.009
Audience
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 1 Plates, black and white

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 2 June 2011
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-84) is regarded as one of the outstanding figures of English literature, as a poet, essayist, moralist, critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer. This collected edition of his works - commissioned by the publisher within hours of Johnson's death, such was his celebrity - was published in 1787 in eleven volumes, edited by his literary executor, the musicologist Sir John Hawkins. Volume 1 is entirely devoted to a biography of Johnson by Hawkins, his close friend. Although Boswell's 1791 Life is much better known, Hawkins had been acquainted with Johnson for far longer, and was present at his death. Although his narrative is less colourful than that of Boswell, he had a better understanding of some aspects of Johnson's character, especially regarding his religious beliefs, and Boswell did not hesitate to borrow from this work.