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 Doctor Johnson now found himself possibly the most famous man in England, the Royal family aside, and the central figure of the cultural life of the latter part of the 18th century. He was recognisably an Englishman, the John Bull of the intellect, and, I would argue, contributed enormously to the English self-image.

His occupation in fact in the latter part of the century was more as a central figure, around whom other figures in the arts gathered, than as a producer of important work himself. Barry's portrait of the 'Club' shows us that he understood Johnson's importance, seated centrally and directing a challenging look in the direction of the viewer (detail shown in top left corner of page). He has recogised a challenge or intruder and is equal to the task of dealing with it. What is the challenge or intruder ? Basically, I would suggest, organising, meddling whiggism. It should be remembered that Johnson was a radical Tory (Tory having almost nothing to do with the modern meaning of Conservative), and as such much more sympathetic to the poorer classes than were the whigs, who regarded them merely as industrial resources. A change was taking place; romanticism attacked classicism; constitutionalism attacked the smoothly functioning political traditionalism; the greedy industrialist sought to replace the caring squire as employer (some sentimentality here, admittedly). The point is not whether these views are right or wrong, but whether they are the views Johnson held, and whether Reynolds perceived them correctly. The remainder of Dr. Johnson's life was largely engaged in dispersing influence through society and conversation, acquainted as he was with almost every influential figure of his day.

He lived a good life, frequently sheltering a household of unfortunates and inadequates. He died on 13th December 1794. His last words were "God bless you, my dear', to Miss Valentine Morris, daughter of a friend.

The lower picture shows James Boswell, Johnson's friend and deservedly most successful biographer. It is a great irony that, great as Johnson was, the greatest work mentioned in this website was that which established Johnson's reputation beyond his own age, the biography by his friend, James Boswell, who is unfairly overlooked as one our greatest literary geniuses