-Most famously, Johnson is known for his *Dictionary of the English Language*, published in 1755. Johnson defined more than 40,000 words, illustrating their usage with more than 114,000 quotations from a wide range of sources.
-The dictionary was a landmark in English lexicography, and it remained the most comprehensive and authoritative dictionary of English for more than a century.
Literary criticism and biography
-Johnson was a prolific writer of essays, prefaces, reviews, and biographies. His literary criticism is often seen as marking the beginning of modern criticism.
-In his 1751 preface to a new edition of Shakespeare, Johnson argued that Shakespeare was a great writer despite his lack of formal education and that his works should not be judged by the classical standards of drama.
-Johnson's biographies are also highly regarded, particularly his 1779 *Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets*.
Moral philosophy and religion
-Johnson was a devout Anglican, and his works are deeply influenced by Christian thought and morality.
-In his *Rambler* (1750-52) and *Idler* (1758-60), Johnson wrote on a wide range of moral topics, including the importance of faith, virtue, and happiness.
-His 1763 book *The Vanity of Human Wishes* is a moral satire that explores the futility of human desires and ambitions.
Travel literature and social criticism
-In 1775, Johnson published *A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland* following a trip he took in 1773.
-In the *Journey*, Johnson wrote about the people, customs, and landscape of the Scottish Highlands.
-The book also contains observations on topics such as slavery and the decline of Gaelic culture.
Influence
-Johnson was one of the most influential figures in English literature and culture of the 18th century.
-His works remain widely read and studied, and his ideas continue to shape the way we think about language, literature, and morality.