The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Latest Reviews
Never heard of Samuel Johnson? Well he's the chap who featured in the Blackadder episode who wrote the famous Dictionary. In that episode, Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder keeps taunting Dr Johnson, played by Robbie Coltrane, by referring to esoteric words that did no feature in the good Doctor's purportedly comprehensive Dictionary. All good knockabout stuff. But Johnson was a great man and a great personality. Outside the Birthplace you can see a statue of the glowering Johnson on one side of the square and on the opposite side of the square a statue of the puckish Boswell, who wrote a famous biography of Johnson-'the Life'- which is the most famous as well as the finest biography in the english language. Imagine reality TV, that's how upfront and close you get to Johnson in 'the Life' .
Johnson was a paradox: combining piety and a scabrous wit; rumbustious yet prone to crippling bouts of the black dog; hectoring yet crippled by doubt as to his own worthiness. Scholar, poet, amateur, scientist, essayist and critic, Johnson was all these things and more. You get a flavour of this in the House where Johnson was born. His father was a bookseller and if you go to the top floor you can a fine view out to the Cathedral. The house is 18thC throughout and the staff are knowledgeable, friendly and exceedingly helpful. Even better, entrance is free. Make sure you visit it some time.
Johnson was a paradox: combining piety and a scabrous wit; rumbustious yet prone to crippling bouts of the black dog; hectoring yet crippled by doubt as to his own worthiness. Scholar, poet, amateur, scientist, essayist and critic, Johnson was all these things and more. You get a flavour of this in the House where Johnson was born. His father was a bookseller and if you go to the top floor you can a fine view out to the Cathedral. The house is 18thC throughout and the staff are knowledgeable, friendly and exceedingly helpful. Even better, entrance is free. Make sure you visit it some time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I must admit I did not know anything about Samuel Johnson, but an adult in our group wanted to go while we strolled Lichfield on a recent Sunday morning. So I popped in, too. First, it's free, always good. In places like this, I tend to go to the top floor and work down. Be aware that if you cannot climb lots of steps, unfortunately this is not the place for you. Up five flights to the top. But once there, it's really interesting to see. The wooden beams that divide the rooms, small rooms, no fireplace...gives a great idea of the way of life centuries ago.
I had read that the house had FEW of Johnson's artifacts, but I felt that the house actually had quite a good selection, his walking stick, I think it was his or his wife's wedding ring, his favorite teapot and much more. Not to mention, of course, volumes of his dictionaries and other books. There is also information and artifacts on actor David Garrick, a friend and I think a student of Johnson's, who lived in Lichfield.
As I said, I went because a friend wanted to go...I wound up staying longer than the person who initiated the visit! An hour is plenty to have a good look at everything.
I had read that the house had FEW of Johnson's artifacts, but I felt that the house actually had quite a good selection, his walking stick, I think it was his or his wife's wedding ring, his favorite teapot and much more. Not to mention, of course, volumes of his dictionaries and other books. There is also information and artifacts on actor David Garrick, a friend and I think a student of Johnson's, who lived in Lichfield.
As I said, I went because a friend wanted to go...I wound up staying longer than the person who initiated the visit! An hour is plenty to have a good look at everything.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The lady on the reception was very helpful and informative. The house is extremely interesting - and shows what cramped conditions people lived in in the eighteenth century. I got a real feeling of being close to Samuel Johnson - a writer I have always admired. Well worth a visit - but not suitable if you can't climb stairs.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lichfield is a pretty little city with a lot to see spread over a small area. The Samuel Johnson Museum on the corner of Market Street is surrounded by shops and a stones throw from the Cathedral which is also a definite 'must-see.' Spread across 5 floors in this quaint house is a true feel of the life and times of Samuel Johnson, a man made famous by his legendary dictionary. It is a lovely Grade 1 listed house which is worth seeing just for itself. Something a little bit different which is well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lots to see and do AND IT IS FREE. A well kept little museum which is run by volunteers;
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lichfield is a great place to visit and has a host of little shops and lots of history the cathedral is a must it is beautiful pop over to the market there is a old fashioned sweet stall with all your childhood favourites it is really great they sell Bassets liquorice kali black jacks , it really is fantastic i go and visit the market every time i go to lichfield , it has a real old fashioned feel about the market set in the Market square , the history around it is gruesome but very interesting
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This fairly small museum where Dr Johnson (of English Dictionary fame) was born and brought up is well worth a visit. Currently there is no charge for admission and there is much to be discovered walking around the rooms. It is easy to feel that one has stepped back in time and it comes as a surprise to glance out of a window and see modern life going on outside. Child friendly, there are activity sheets for them to use and most people will find this a fascinating place to see. Situated in the very heart of the small City of Lichfield, right by the Market Square, plenty of facilities round about to eat, drink, and sleep if coming to Lichfield for a longer visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have lived in Sutton Coldfield all my life but never been in here before - t he guide was very informative and knowledgeable very interesting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We found the Samuel Johnson museum very informative and a really nice place to visit. It was both educational and my children learned quite a lot about who Samuel Johnson was and what he contributed to society.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Didn't even know that Samuel Johnson, best known for writing the Dictionary of the English Language, was born in Lichfield until we visited the tourist information office to see what there was in the town and local area to see . The museum, a grade 1 listed building, is over several floors and has some of the original furnishings and features on view. There is an excellent video to watch which runs for about 15 minutes. It tells the story of Samuel Johnson as told by his friend James Boswell. There is a bookshop in the museum. The museum is right in the town centre and there are plenty of places nearby to get refreshments and find toilets.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
