Welcome to the House of Words

Dr Johnson's House was the home of Samuel Johnson when he compiled his seminal Dictionary of the English Language 1755. This publication was of crucial importance in the development of the English language and the House is an open window into the Age of Enlightenment

Learn more about Visiting

Learn more about our History

Johnson & his Impact

Samuel Johnson, a professional writer in a new age of print, rose to become one of the greatest literary figures in the English language, redefining how we think about, use, and record language.

Desk. n.s. [disch, a table, Dutch.] An inclining table for the use of writers or readers, made commonly with a box or repository under it.

Not the desk with silver nails,
Nor bureau of expence,
Nor standish well japann’d, avails
To writing of good sense.
Swift.

Hodge the Cat

The statue facing 17 Gough Square commemorates the house's most famous quadruped resident, Hodge, Samuel Johnson's cat.

62e58c_c028d7b801b24c3e84244785cdfb1278~mv2.png

Our Patron, Stephen Fry, Ruminates on the Meaning of Desks at the Launch for Desks, Drudgery and the Dictionary

View Here

Hear the Latest

Visit our News section to hear about the latest developments such as Stephen Fry agreeing to be our Patron, grants being awarded to support our work, and our partnership with Oxford University.

We offer educational workshops six days a week in the House as well as materials to be used in the classroom. We have workshops for all age from preschool to U3A.

As a small, independent charity with a very tight budget, charitable support is essential to achieving modest projects that will make a significant impact. Use the link below to see how you can help.

Learn more about the key moments in Samuel Johnson's productive and eventful life.

Welcome to the House of Words

Learn more about Visiting

Learn more about our History

Johnson & his Impact

Word of the Week

Hodge the Cat

Fry's Desk

Hear the Latest

Learn and Excell

How You can Help

Timeline