It would be generally agreed that the greatest literary figure of the 18th Century was Dr Samuel Johnson.
In terms of enduring influence, this assessment is probably correct. He set the foundations of the modern English that we speak today, with his Dictionary of 1755; and had the wisdom and humility to recognise that he was performing an act of description, rather than prescription, thus leaving the language free to develop in harmony with changing times, deriving its force and vigour from the collective genius of the language population, rather than from a national Academy, on the French model or as advocated by Dean Swift some decades earlier. Johnson stated, correctly, that this would be contrary to English notions of liberty (in the introduction to his Dictionary).

He was also responsible for elevating Shakespeare from his status as a good playwright to his current position of international pre-eminence, by pointing out overlooked subtleties of the Bard’s writing in his
Edition of Shakespeare, published 1765, and came to be regarded as an authority on literature in a degree attained by no other critic before or since.

He is probably best known to the general public for the number of quotes attributable to him; so many that an example would be pointless, and a comprehensive list overwhelming. He is the third most prolific source of quotes in English after the Bible and Shakespeare.

If asked for a list of rivals to Johnson as the greatest literary figure of the 18th Century, we would probably hear the names of Jonathan Swift, Henry Fielding, Samuel Richardson, Oliver Goldsmith, and possibly others. Most lists would omit the name of James Boswell. Yet James Boswell produced the greatest literary work of that century with his ‘Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D’.

In writing it he succeeded in establishing himself as a minimal observing and recording presence, allowing the spotlight to stay firmly aimed on the central figure, the Great Cham himself. This use of self-minimalisation as a literary device, and the fact that he only produced one major work, has lead him to be remembered as an accessory to Johnson. Yet Johnson’s most noted works were of lexicography and criticism; his artistic creativity was limited and laboured. He was very great, and because of his influence felt to this day, probably was the greatest figure.
Without Boswell, we would still revere Shakespeare and English would still be fit for purpose above all other languages; the quotes would be gone or less used.

Because of one great work, Johnson, has however one serious rival for the greatest literary figure of the 18th century, the alcoholic, fornicating, possibly sycophantic James Boswell, without whom Johnson would still be an influence, but one generally unseen, and known only as a footnote to academics. Raise a glass to the great James Boswell.

http://www.DrSamuelJohnson.com

http://johnsontourettes.webeden.co.uk

http://boswell.webeden.co.uk

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