About this Event
Enjoy sparkling drinks and discover one of London's best-kept secrets! Explore the beautiful historic home of the famous Samuel Johnson, whose love of London led him to declare '...when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life!'
SHORT TALK: 6pm
Drop by the Withdrawing Room at 6pm for a short talk, from one of our volunteers, about Shakespeare’s haunting presence in Johnson’s life.
Talk lasts about 10-15 minutes.
Dr Samuel Johnson
Like many Londoners today Samuel Johnson was not from London. The son of a bookseller in Lichfield (Staffordshire), Johnson walked to the capital in 1737 seeking fame and fortune. He never left. While fortune evaded him, Dr Johnson rose to become one of the greatest writers of the Georgian era.
Johnson's laid the foundation of modern English, and the House where he created it, is often referred to as the 'Cradle of the English Language'.
The House is an open window into the Age of Enlightenment as a place where leading minds of the day gathered, including the Bluestockings - the female intellectuals and scholars of the era, such as Elizabeth Carter and Elizabeth Montagu - of whom Johnson was a great advocate.
Experience a Georgian Townhouse
A stone’s throw from St Paul’s and St Bride’s in the City of London, Dr Johnson's House is one of London’s best-kept secrets. Built in the 1690s, soon after the Great Fire of London, the five-storey house at 17 Gough Square has survived many near misses over the last 300+ years (not least the Blitz!).
The house retains many original features, including a very quirky anti-burglary device. You can browse all the rooms in what was still the tallest building in the area during WWII.
- Grab a glass and explore the rooms from Parlour & Withdrawing Room, to Library & Garret
- Discover the unique architectural features of a 330-year old townhouse
- Sit on the chairs and window seats and soak up the atmosphere
- Head up to the garret - where Johnson created his great in 1755
- Leaf through the Dictionary and look up lost words like hotcockles, jiggumbob, and twittletwattle
- Try writing with a quill and ink
- Meet the , such as Elizabeth Carter, and other leading intellectuals of the Enlightenment
- Hear how the House was saved during the Blitz
- Keep an eye out for Hodge - Johnson's 'very fine cat'
- Shop Fabulous Gifts!
Come along, walk up the steps, and open the door to a most enlightening and enjoyable experience!
Doors open at 5.30pm. Drop off your bag, grab a glass and start to explore!
There is no specific start time, but the Highlight Talk is at 6pm (for 10-15 minutes).
You are welcome to arrive and depart as you like between 5.30pm - 7pm.
Agenda
🕑: 05:30 PM
Start Time
🕑: 05:30 PM
Drop off of your coat and grab a glass
🕑: 05:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Explore the House! Shop fabulous Gifts (for you or a friend)!
🕑: 06:00 PM - 06:15 PM
Highlight Talk
Event venue & nearby stays
Dr Johnson's House, 17 Gough Square, London, United Kingdom
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