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Website
Society of Archbishop Justus

Samuel Johnson, Writer of an Age

For Students 9th - 10th
James E. Kiefer's extensive biography features anecdotes from Samuel Johnson's childhood plus discussion of his struggles with disability and the metamorphosis of his religious and philosophical beliefs. This site includes excerpts from...
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Article
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: Studied Barbarity: Johnson, Spenser, and Literary Progress

For Students 9th - 10th
Literary analysis of Johnson's writings in relation to Edmund Spenser. Features extensive notes and bibliographical info.
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Article
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: Johnson on the History of the Language

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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.
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Article
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: Samuel Johnson and the Revival of Learning

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Article
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: Use, Elegance, and National Identity in Johnson's Dictionary

For Students 9th - 10th
An analytical discussion of Johnson's use of literary technique in his dictionary. It includes notes and bibliography.
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eBook
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: Life of Milton by Samuel Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
This annotated version of Johnson's Life of Milton contains hyperlinks to explanatory notes added by the editor of the online edition.
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eBook
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: The Plan of an English Dictionary (1747) by Samuel Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Handout
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: The Dictionary of the English Language

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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.
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Website
Other

Samuel Johnson Page: Brief Biography

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A biographical sketch of Johnson, featuring information about his difficult birth and childhood illnesses, his failed teaching career, and some details of his literary accomplishments.
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Website
Other

Greenwich 2000: Samuel Johnson 1709 1784

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography of English writer and lexicographer Samuel Johnson. Includes information on Johnson's friendship and travels with his eventual biographer, James Boswell.
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Graphic
Other

Dictionary of the English Language/image

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
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."
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Website
Authors Calendar

Author's Calendar: Samuel Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
An account of the life and times of Samuel Johnson. Includes a list of selected works by Samuel Johnson.
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Handout
Victorian Web

The Victorian Web: Empiricism

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief definition is provided about English empiricism as developed in the Victorian age. Several links are provided for additional information on related subjects.