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How did Samuel Johnson contribute to The Gentleman’s Magazine?
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Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson, oil on canvas by Sir Joshua Reynolds, c. 1756; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Samuel Johnson began his long association with The Gentleman’s Magazine in 1738, contributing a variety of poetry and prose to the publication. His work for the magazine included:1
- Biographies: He wrote early biographies of European scholars, physicians, and British admirals, as well as a biography of the Venetian Paolo Sarpi.1
- Panegyrics: He contributed laudatory writings about the magazine’s proprietor, Edward Cave, and the writer Elizabeth Carter.1
- Parliamentary Reports: From 1741 to 1744, his most significant contribution was a series of speeches titled "Debates in the Senate of Magna Lilliputia." These were political fictions that purported to represent actual debates in the House of Commons, written by Johnson based on limited information.1
Johnson’s contributions helped transition the periodical from a collection of culled articles into a source for original writing and parliamentary reporting. Despite his prolific output, he often received relatively little payment for his work.21