Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Happy birthday, Doctor


Dr Samuel Johnson, the creator of the first 'proper' English Dictionary, is one of the most famous people to have been born in Staffordshire.
His birthday - on 18th September - is always celebrated in Lichfield, his home town, with a big dinner. Even in Uttoxeter, another Staffordshire town associated with him, there is a small public ceremony.

However, he actually lived most of his life in London.  In fact, one of his most famous witty sayings was about his adopted city: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."  I suppose he couldn't have said the same about Lichfield at the time...

The photo shows the house Dr Johnson lived in in London, which is now a museum.

1 comment:

  1. I think if I lived in london I would be tired of life, I much prefer liveing out in the country

    ReplyDelete

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