A Harmless Drudge and his Dictionary

London Luminaries Spotlight Talks 2026

Online Talk

Thursday 2 July

7pm - 8pm

£10

This online lecture will explore the life, work and legacy of Dr Samuel Johnson who firmly held the belief that 'to be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition'.

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This talk will explore the life, work and legacy of Dr Samuel Johnson, the leading man of letters in the 18th century, and according to The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, he remains the second most-quoted Englishman after Shakespeare. The presenter will discuss why his move in 1747 to 17 Gough Square, which today operates as the writer’s house museum, was instrumental to the compilation of his seminal Dictionary of the English Language (1755), and many other works. She will also offer context to the rabble who resided there with him, and why despite this ‘noisy and difficult household’ Johnson firmly held the belief that ‘to be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition’.

Celine Luppo McDaid Celine Luppo McDaid is The Hyde Director of Dr Johnson’s House, London. In addition to being responsible for the management of the organisation, she has staged over 18 temporary exhibitions ranging from Shakespeare in the 18th century on The Stage and on The Page, and Johnson, Barber and thoughts on Slavery to London’s Theatre of the East in collaboration with the Arab British Centre. She also is responsible for the development and delivery of the education programme, with a primary focus on the history of language and linguistics. With a background in Classics and the teaching of Latin and English, Luppo McDaid has published various articles relating to Johnson, language and linguistics and historic house preservation, including in the Bookplate Journal, the Book Collector, American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies and the New Rambler. She regularly lectures on these subjects, and has featured in numerous documentaries and other media.

Previously, she researched and authored various educational publications for the acquisition of the English language. While living in Italy, she worked for Knut Steen and was instrumental in the development of a permanent museum to house his work within the Midtåsen Sculptur Pavilion, Sandjeford, Norway. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Educators.

This talk is one of the London Luminaries Spotlight Talks 2026.