Happy birthday, Samuel Johnson

It is the birthday of Samuel Johnson (1709), who may be best remembered for compiling A Dictionary of the English Language (1855). It is considered among the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language, and remained the leading British dictionary for 150 years. It took him nine years to complete and brought him widespread recognition. Johnson was a prolific writer, composing poetry, essays, literary criticism, and biographies. Nevertheless, his enduring legacy is the dictionary.