The Lives of the Poets - 9780300123142

The writings of Samuel Johnson, though often reprinted, have never appeared in a complete or accurate edition. A new edition of Johnson has long been needed which would include all his writings, present texts based on the best editorial practice, and supply annotation adequate for general use.

The Lives of the Poets was the crowning achievement of Samuel Johnson's rich and varied literary life. Initially planned as a series of rapid-fire prefaces introducing separate volumes on English poets, Johnson's project evolved into a comprehensive biographical and critical survey of English poetry from the time of Cowley to the time of Gray. Giving free rein to his tastes, interests, likes, and dislikes, Johnson produced both a review of his life of reading in English poetry and an extended discursive statement of his immensely influential literary values.

This carefully researched three-volume edition of Lives presents a definitive text reflecting Johnson's final wishes for its wording, accompanied by notes of value both to general readers and specialists.

The late John H. Middendorf, a renowned Johnson scholar, served as general editor and chair of the Yale Edition of the Works of Samuel Johnson. He was also professor of English at Columbia University.

This volume collects the most important statements on the English language by Samuel Johnson, one of its greatest expositors and speakers. The book includes scholarly, fully annotated editions of Johnson's main writings on the history, structure, and cultural importance of the English language as well as his reflections on lexicography. These texts represent Johnson's thinking as he undertook and completed the major work of his life, the colossal Dictionary of the English Language.

The editors set Johnson's writings on the English language in historical context and provide the fullest possible account of their composition. Among the works presented in the volume are Johnson's Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language and the Preface to the Dictionary, both of which are counted among his finest works of prose.