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the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

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Record Number: 20971


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'The King then asked him if there were any other literary journals published in this kingdom, except the "Monthly" and "Critical Reviews"; and on being answered there was no other, his Majesty asked which of them was the best: Johnson answered, that the "Monthly Review" was done with most care, the "Critical" upon the best principles; adding that the authors of the "Monthly Review" were enemies to the Church. This the King said he was sorry to hear. The conversation next turned on the Philosophical Transactions, when Johnson observed that they had now a better method of arranging their materials than formerly. "Aye, (said the King,) they are obliged to Dr. Johnson for that ;" for his Majesty had heard and remembered the circumstance, which Johnson himself had forgot.'

Century:

1700-1799

Date:

Until: 28 Feb 1767

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

city: London

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Samuel Johnson

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

18 Sep 1709

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

writer

Religion:

Anglican

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

[n/a]

Title:

Monthly Review

Genre:

Essays / Criticism

Form of Text:

Print: Serial / periodical

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

unknown


Source Information:

Record ID:

20971

Source:

Print

Author:

James Boswell

Editor:

R.C. Chapman

Title:

Life of Johnson

Place of Publication:

Oxford

Date of Publication:

1980

Vol:

n/a

Page:

383

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

James Boswell, R.C. Chapman (ed.), Life of Johnson (Oxford, 1980), p. 383, http://can-red-lec.library.dal.ca/Arts/RED/record_details.php?id=20971, accessed: 28 March 2024


Additional Comments:

Originally published 1791. This conversation occurred between George III and Johnson in the library at Queen's house.

   
   
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