"The morality of an action depends on the motive from which we act. If I fling a crown to a beggar with the intention to break his head, and he picks it p and buys victuals with it, the physical effect is good; but with respect to me the action is very wrong." Samuel Johnson.

*coughs*

Our Heritage Secretary, John Winterton, is speaking to us today on the subject of the Johnson letter recently purchased with our help for Johnson Birthplace. His talk is entitled “‘Let me hear from you soon again’: Johnson to Sophia Thrale”.

Thank you again to John Winterton for a fascinating talk about Johnson’s letter to Sophia Thrale and what it reveals about his attitudes to mathematics and female education. The letter is on display Johnson Birthplace in Lichfield - please do go and see it!

Marking Remembrance November. Hear all about how Dr Johnson's House survived the Blitz and our social club for 'the heroes with the grimy faces' - the Auxiliary Fire Service. Free Talks with Admission Every Wednesday during November at 2.30pm drjohnsonshouse.org/post/dr-johnso…

Johnson breathes his last ... Fanny Burney's moving account of Johnson's last hours. The Johnson Society x.com/MagisterWalker…

One of my favourite biographies - the life and times of the charming and clubbable friend of Dr Johnson, the composer and man of letters Charles Burney (father of novelist and diarist Fanny Burney), by Percy Scholes. Two volumes, illustrated, 1948. .The Johnson Society have you read

Christmas has arrived at Dr Johnson's House! Celebrate the season and explore the home of Samuel Johnson in all its holiday charm ✨🕯 We are open Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 5pm. drjohnsonshouse.org/visit

Digital proofs of the new design for the The Johnson Society journal, Transactions. Inspired in part by some of the beautiful print produced by Engelsberg Ideas. Original artwork by Heather Horsley.

The newly redesigned Transactions journal is now in the post, heading to our members worldwide! 🌍📚 Become a member today to receive future editions of this exclusive journal and be part of a community celebrating Johnson’s legacy. #SamuelJohnson

Packing up copies of Transactions to send to The Johnson Society members this week. The Cathedral Close was looking pretty lovely. 🥰

Many thanks to Prof Ann Hughes for a fascinating talk on Lichfield and the Civil War. Much food for thought and a lively discussion afterwards.

A time-honoured tradition at the Johnson Birthplace! This past weekend, The Chair Ceremony brought together members of the Society to celebrate Johnson’s enduring legacy. 🍷📖 #SamuelJohnson #Lichfield

At this past weekend’s Annual Lecture, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Johnson's House to discuss 17 Gough Square, Johnson’s London home, its history and its preservation. 🏛️📖 #SamuelJohnson #LiteraryHistory

A happy fourth birthday to the fifth incarnation of Johnson’s Willow, planted on 2 November 2021 (left). As a comparison with the image on the right (taken today) will show, the tree has made substantial growth since then – and, thanks to the weather, is still largely in leaf.