Samuel Johnson (dramatist) facts for kids
Samuel Johnson (born in 1691, died May 5, 1773) was an English dancing teacher, writer of plays, and a talented violinist. He is best known for his play from 1729 called Hurlothrumbo. Another famous writer, Henry Fielding, even made fun of this play in his own work.
Contents
Samuel Johnson's Life and Plays
Early Life and Famous Play
Samuel Johnson was born in a part of England called Cheshire. In 1722, he held a big dance event in Manchester. By 1724, he was in London, playing his fiddle. He worked hard to get his play, Hurlothrumbo, performed on stage. He had already shown this play to his friends in Manchester the year before.
Hurlothrumbo was first shown at the "little theatre in the Haymarket" in London in April 1729. A special ending, called an epilogue, was added on the second night. A starting speech, called a prologue, was also written by a friend. Everyone who knew Johnson promised to cheer for the play.
The play was very popular and ran for over 30 nights. Many people came to watch, including important figures like the Duke of Montagu. Samuel Johnson himself was the most interesting part of the show. He played a character named Lord Flame. He would play his fiddle, dance, and sometimes even walk on stilts!
Because Hurlothrumbo was so popular, Henry Fielding made fun of it in his own play, Author's Farce, in 1729. Johnson's play was published as "Hurlothrumbo, or the Supernatural." A second version was printed in the same year.
Other Works and Performances
In 1730, Johnson decided not to perform Hurlothrumbo in Manchester. Instead, he brought out another play called The Chester Comics in London. Later, he created The Mad Lovers, or the Beauties of the Poets, which was performed and printed in 1732. This book even had a picture of Johnson playing a character called Lord Wildfire.
He also had a comedy called All Alive and Merry performed in 1737. It was well-liked and ran for several nights. Johnson also wrote a comic opera, A Fool made Wise, and a short funny play called Sir John Falstaff in Masquerade. Both were performed in 1741. He also wrote a serious play called Pompey the Great. None of these plays were ever printed.
Besides plays, Johnson wrote a book called A Vision of Heaven, published in 1738. In the introduction, he said he performed parts of it for important people. He also wrote Harmony in Uproar and a conversation piece called Court and Country. For many years, Johnson worked in London and continued to teach dancing in Manchester.
Later Years and Legacy
Retirement and Nicknames
For the last 30 years of his life, Samuel Johnson moved to a quiet village called Gawsworth. This village is near Macclesfield. In Gawsworth, people knew him by his fun nicknames: Maggoty Johnson or Fiddler Johnson.
His Final Resting Place
Samuel Johnson passed away at Gawsworth New Hall on May 5, 1773, when he was 82 years old. He was buried in a nearby wood. This wood is still known as Maggoty Wood today. Some people even say his ghost haunts the wood! His grave is considered an important historical site.
