Our speaker in May was Professor Keith Aldritt, a specialist in the literature of the 20th century. He set out the context of his talk by describing the statues of the two friends Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) and James Boswell (1740-1795) in Lichfield's Market Square.

The young future Laird of Auchinleck stands as a young gentleman in a frock coat, with three cornered hat and sword. He faces north, towards the HSBC Bank, as if contemplating finance - one of the major concerns of his life. This bronze statue was presented to the City of Lichfield in 1908 by the sculptor Percy Hetherington Fitzgerald and unveiled in September that year. The sculptor was also one of Boswell's numerous biographers. [1]

Boswell's friend Johnson has a more impressive statue. Two metres high, so more than life size, and in Ashlar stone. The statue was commissioned by Dr John Thomas Law and sculpted by Richard Cockle Lucas (1800-1883). He chose to depict Johnson in a naturalistic pose, rather than an idealised image. [2]

The difference in the depiction of the two friends suggests a metaphor for their relevant standing in the history of English Literature. In 1974, Nikolaus Pevsner, writing his final volume of "The Buildings of England" which was devoted to Staffordshire, heaps praise on the stone statue of Johnson saying; "excellent", "outstandingly good". He suggests a reference to the renaissance sculptor Donatello in the treatment of the panels of its plinth. [3]

Johnson was well read, a playwright and poet as well as the author of the famous dictionary of the English language. He was also a brilliant essayist. In this post-literary age essays are no longer considered exciting; but the sermons and speeches of the 18th and 19th centuries had great appeal. Samuel Johnson's essays in "The Rambler", written between 1750 and 1752, are notable and were well received both here and in America.

James Boswell was a lifelong hero-worshipper of Johnson, who had many admirers including Jane Austen. On July 30th, 1762 Boswell passed his oral law examination. His father then allowed him to return to London from Edinburgh and raised his allowance to £ 200 a year. Boswell met Johnson for the first time on 16th May 1763 and decided to became his biographer.

Boswell's " Life of Samuel Johnson" is a substantial work of over 1,000 pages. It is the best and most famous biography of his friend and a great contribution to western literature. The book is well researched, using both private correspondence and recorded conversations. The author reveals an impressive knowledge of his subject. Some of Boswell's long lost papers are still coming to light.

Other examples of close companionships between authors include Erza Pound and T.S. Elliot or Wordsworth and Coleridge. Johnson was also somewhat of a father figure to Boswell; someone who was prepared to listen and give advice regarding his personal problems. He responded by expressing his liking for his young friend. As Johnson grew older he shared his thoughts about growing old. Although Johnson was a pious Christian, with high moral standards, he was prepared to condone Boswell's misbehaviour. More details of their lasting friendship can be found in a small volume written by Graham Nicholls, a former curator of the Johnson Birthplace Museum in Lichfield. [4]

Boswell became a successful lawyer in Edinburgh but loved London and the company of Johnson and his circle of friends who included Joshua Reynolds, Edmund Burke, Oliver Goldsmith and David Garrick. Smart's Coffee House in the Strand was a regular venue for their meetings. When in Birmingham, Johnson often visited his former school-friend Edmond Hector, a Surgeon at Birmingham General Hospital. Edmond was born in Lichfield and attended the local Grammar School. He is also mentioned in the "Life of Samuel Johnson", with various stories. [5]

In March 1776 Johnson invited Boswell to join him in Lichfield. Boswell stayed at the Three Crowns in Breadmarket Street, next to the Birthplace, where he enjoyed the Staffordshire beer served by the amiable landlord Mr Watkins. He made the acquaintance of Johnson's Lichfield friends, notably his step-daughter Lucy Porter. She was the daughter of "Tetty", Johnson's late wife who had died in 1752. Lucy now lived at Redcourt House, a stately house in Tamworth Street with an elegant garden that was sadly demolished in the 1920s. [6]

Peter Garrick, the brother of David Garrick, was very hospitable and invited Johnson to stay. A former school fellow, Henry Jackson, a failed cutlery merchant, was also visited, as were a number of Johnson's lady friends (including; Miss Cobb and Miss Arday in the Friary and Miss Aston at Stowe House). Boswell was very impressed by the Sewards, especially Anna Seward, the Reverend's daughter.

Having been to Birmingham, Boswell thought that, by comparison, little industry was carried on in Lichfield. Johnson's retort, defending his native City, was "Sir, we are a City of Philosophers; we work with our heads and make the boobies of Birmingham work for us with their hands". While in Lichfield, Boswell also visited the theatre in the Guildhall. A play produced by Nathaniel Lee (1653-1692) was performed. This was "Theodosius", a tragedy, subtitled "The Force of Love". It was very popular and was revived several times in the 18th century. The visit to Lichfield was curtailed by Johnson's need to return to the Thrales' home in London as they had just lost their only son.

Boswell's second visit to Lichfield was in October 1779 when he was accompanied by James Stuart, second son of the Earl of Bute, who was serving in the Bedfordshire Militia. Boswell was his companion on a journey through England and he was glad to be in Lichfield again, although it was only a 'Whistle Stop' visit. The weather was inclement and Stuart did not want to linger as he wanted to reach Chester.

So, this time, Boswell spent only two hours in Lichfield. He ordered a post-chaise, an expensive item which needed at least two horses, a postillion and a footman. He began this visit by seeing Richard Greene, the apothecary and museum curator. This was almost a repeat of his earlier visit with Johnson in 1776 when he had been shown Greene's museum. On that occasion he had desired to be Anna Seward's lover; but she sought only friendship. She put him 'in a flutter' and he sought a lock of her auburn hair. They later quarrelled, although in 1784 Bosewell did admire Anna's first novel "Louisa".

Despite his many vices, Boswell had charmed many people both in Europe, and in England and Scotland. He also maintained a steadfast marriage, with numerous children. His "Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D", published in 1791, was both a critical and a popular success. He had been researching Johnson's life since before 1763, when their personal acquaintance began and when Johnson was already 54 years old. There have been many editions of 'The Life' since, despite the negative criticisms of scholars; but while Johnson's works, apart from 'The Dictionary', may no longer be remembered, Boswell's 'Life' created a memorable portrait of that unforgettable giant of English Literature.

Notes:

[1] A full description of this event can be found in "The Public Sculpture of Staffordshire and the Black Country" by George T. Nozelopy and Fiona Whitehouse, 2005; published by Liverpool University Press.

[2] Lucas was an eccentric, sometimes dressing as a Roman Emperor driving a horse drawn chariot.

[3] Donatello (1386-1466) was an important renaissance sculptor.

[4] This paper was based on a talk given by Graham Nicholls, former curator of the Birthplace Museum, to the Lichfield and District Arts Association in 1976.

[5] There is a memorial to Edmond Hector (1708-1794) in St. Phillip's Cathedral, Birmingham.

[6] Elizabeth Jervis Porter, known by her local nick-name as 'Tetty', was the widow of Harry, a Birmingham merchant (d.1734). See also "A March through Lent" by Patrick Comerford.

Lorna Bushell
June 2024