Literature Network » Samuel Johnson

Capital of Culture: Old pals' act still rings true; A sponsored walk from Lichfield to London is following in the footsteps of the former's most famous sons, Dr Samuel Johnson and David Garrick. Desmond Shawe-Taylor, director of Dulwich Picture Ga

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From: The Birmingham Post (England)
Date: 20030320
Author:

Byline: Desmond Shawe-Taylor

I

March 1737 two men set off from Lichfield to London with four pence in their pocket and a horse between them to carry their bags.

One was a schoolmaster and the other a young man with thoughts of going into the wine trade. Their names were Samuel Johnson and David Garrick.

When Garrick died 42 years later, Johnson wrote, without undue exaggeration: 'I am disappointed by that stroke of death, which has eclipsed the gaiety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.'

When he wrote this, Johnson's fame was ...

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