Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Restoration and Eighteenth Century: The Age of Sensibility
This lesson from a Restoration and Eighteenth Century unit focues on the Age of Sensibility and Samuel Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language, the first English dictionary. It provides a link to a Discovery Channel Video...
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Studied Barbarity: Johnson, Spenser, and Literary Progress
Literary analysis of Johnson's writings in relation to Edmund Spenser. Features extensive notes and bibliographical info.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Johnson on the History of the Language
Critical analysis of Johnson's use of literary sources in his dictionary, and his contribution to the development of modern English. Includes extensive notes and bibliography.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Samuel Johnson and the Revival of Learning
A critical analysis of Johnson's commentary on the period later called the Renaissance by Jack Lynch. In-depth article with extensive notes and bibliography.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: The Plan of an English Dictionary (1747) by Samuel Johnson
Read actual text from Dr. Johnson's, The Plan of an English Dictionary (1747), as he explains his motivations for undertaking the task of writing the English Dictionary. Johnson also expounds upon the process and outcome.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: The Dictionary of the English Language
Brief introductory essay on the history of Samuel Johnson's dictionary. Includes information on the time frame of the work and the significance of the dictionary in the development of modern versions. Criticism is cited.
Other
Greenwich 2000: Samuel Johnson 1709 1784
A short biography of English writer and lexicographer Samuel Johnson. Includes information on Johnson's friendship and travels with his eventual biographer, James Boswell.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: A Dictionary of the English Language
Read an overview of "A Dictionary of the English Language" by Samuel Johnson and view additional resources such as articles and collection items.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Johnson's Dictionary: Myths and Realities
David Crystal looks past the myths surrounding Samuel Johnson's Dictionary to discover a work of remarkable precision, sensitivity, and attention to social and regional variation.
Other
Dictionary of the English Language/image
See a Close-up image of an original page from Johnson's dictionary. It shows the definition and a usage example for the word "puke."