Johnson, Samuel, 1709-1784

Samuel Johnson was born on September 18, 1709, in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, to Michael and Sarah Johnson. As a young child he was plagued with scrofula, small pox, and possibly Tourette Syndrome. He was left scarred on his face and neck and nearly blind in his left eye. He was regarded as one of the most intelligent writers of his age, with his work spanning poetry, plays, essays, biographies, and more. His works include the poem: The Vanity of Human Wishes and the novella Rasselas, but his most famous work that still influences writers today, however, is: A Dictionary of the English Language, which he published in 1755. Samuel Johnson died in London on December 13, 1784. He is buried at Westminster Abbey.