We do not know very much about Francis Barber, Samuel Johnson’s servant — even the portrait we have of him is probably of someone else — but what we do know is well-contained and contextualised in The Fortunes of Francis Barber by Michael Bundock, a book so clear and concise it must count as one of the better Johnson books of recent years. Bundock is a barrister, as well as
Thanks for this. I certainly wanted to learn more about Barber after reading Boswell's Life of Johnson. You describe this book as one of the best recent Johnson-related books. What books about Samuel Johnson would you most recommend? (Besides the Boswell, of course.) Thus far I've stuck to Johnson's own writings.
The Clifford biography is excellent and full of good information. "Boswell's Presumptuous Task" is also very good. "The Club" is good for context but doesn't quite deliver what it promises and the Johnson material is very familiar. Good period discussion though.
Thanks. I'll actually be in that area of London this October.
Speaking of writer's houses, have you written anything about Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) on this Substack? (I've just discovered it and haven't had time to really go through the archives.)
I visited her house (now a museum, of course) in Denmark right before the pandemic and truly enjoyed the experience, so much so that I wrote about it on my own Substack. She's one of my absolute favorite writers.
On a similar note, have you visited the Dickens Museum in London? If so, would you recommend it? As Samuel Johnson himself said, the man who is tired of London is tired of life and I feel like I've only scratched the surface of it.
There's so much to see in that area. The Wren churches are excellent and often open mid-week. You can go to Clement Danes, where Johnson worshipped. And the house where he met Boswell in Covent Garden is still there.
I have not been to the Dickens Museum. Outside of the usual things in London, I would recommend: the John Soane museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields, the museum of the home in Hackeny, the canal museum and the cartoon museum in Kings Cross, the old operating theatre near London Bridge, the transport museum in Covent Garden, Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Imperial War Rooms, the Cutty Sark and indeed the rest of Greenwhich, the Wellcome Collection. Most of the major train stations are worth seeing. The Clippers on the Thames are good.
I've visited the Sir John Soane Museum and quite enjoyed it (actually walking right past the Dickens Museum to get there.)
I used to live in Kent & thus have visited most of the famous London locations. I've never been to Greenwich although a few British friends have highly recommended it to me.
Next time I'm in London I'll be staying in the Chiswick area, if you have any recommendations. Planning on visiting Richmond and perhaps Hampton Court Palace. So much to see and I wish I had more time there.
If Samuel Johnson was around in the 21st century he'd probably write a very interesting Rambler/Idler essay about what Keeping Up With the Kardashians means for public morality.
Thanks for this. I certainly wanted to learn more about Barber after reading Boswell's Life of Johnson. You describe this book as one of the best recent Johnson-related books. What books about Samuel Johnson would you most recommend? (Besides the Boswell, of course.) Thus far I've stuck to Johnson's own writings.
The Clifford biography is excellent and full of good information. "Boswell's Presumptuous Task" is also very good. "The Club" is good for context but doesn't quite deliver what it promises and the Johnson material is very familiar. Good period discussion though.
Would you recommend Johnson's house in London? I've never gotten around to visiting it but am considering next time I'm in the UK.
Very much! The attic where he wrote the dicitonary is especially good
Thanks. I'll actually be in that area of London this October.
Speaking of writer's houses, have you written anything about Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) on this Substack? (I've just discovered it and haven't had time to really go through the archives.)
I visited her house (now a museum, of course) in Denmark right before the pandemic and truly enjoyed the experience, so much so that I wrote about it on my own Substack. She's one of my absolute favorite writers.
On a similar note, have you visited the Dickens Museum in London? If so, would you recommend it? As Samuel Johnson himself said, the man who is tired of London is tired of life and I feel like I've only scratched the surface of it.
There's so much to see in that area. The Wren churches are excellent and often open mid-week. You can go to Clement Danes, where Johnson worshipped. And the house where he met Boswell in Covent Garden is still there.
I have not been to the Dickens Museum. Outside of the usual things in London, I would recommend: the John Soane museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields, the museum of the home in Hackeny, the canal museum and the cartoon museum in Kings Cross, the old operating theatre near London Bridge, the transport museum in Covent Garden, Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Imperial War Rooms, the Cutty Sark and indeed the rest of Greenwhich, the Wellcome Collection. Most of the major train stations are worth seeing. The Clippers on the Thames are good.
I've visited the Sir John Soane Museum and quite enjoyed it (actually walking right past the Dickens Museum to get there.)
I used to live in Kent & thus have visited most of the famous London locations. I've never been to Greenwich although a few British friends have highly recommended it to me.
Next time I'm in London I'll be staying in the Chiswick area, if you have any recommendations. Planning on visiting Richmond and perhaps Hampton Court Palace. So much to see and I wish I had more time there.
Maybe the Kardashians are distant relatives of Johnson?
I know nothing about them…
I was being sarcastic- after reading your review ( I look forward to reading the book - thanks to you) I immediately thought of them!
If Samuel Johnson was around in the 21st century he'd probably write a very interesting Rambler/Idler essay about what Keeping Up With the Kardashians means for public morality.