This volume presents the most famous of Johnson’s works- the lives of Savage and Milton, Rasselas, the Preface to the Dictionary and a selection of word definitions, the Preface to Shakespeare, and samples of Johnson’s poetry, both light and serious- as well as lesser-known writings.  The selections reveal a mind which represents both the distillation of the age and the enduring spirit of independence of thought and freedom from cant.  The editors have arranged this collection to reacquaint the contemporary reader with the delights of Johnson’s style and at the same time provide an accurate picture of the man. 

     All of the selections, reprinted entirely from the first editions of Johnson’s works, are complete, including Johnson’s notes and, where relevant, his revisions.  The editors’ notes and introductions help to make this edition of use to the student as well as the general reader.