Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum

About the museum

Samuel Johnson, the writer who compiled A Dictionary of the English Language, was born in this house in Lichfield on 18 September 1709. His father Michael Johnson, a bookseller, built the four-storey house in 1707 on the corner of Market Street and Breadmarket Street and ran his bookshop and workroom here. Samuel spent most of his first 27 years in the house before he left for London in 1737.

After Johnson died in 1784 the building was used for various trades. In 1900 it was bought for the city by John Gilbert so that it could be kept as a memorial to Johnson, and the museum opened to the public in 1901. The timber-framed house, now covered in stucco, is Grade I listed and is run by Lichfield City Council.

The museum holds more than 8,000 items about Johnson, his circle and Lichfield in the 1700s, including prints and paintings, furniture, manuscripts and early editions of his works. Several libraries named after their donors, such as the Hay Hunter and Blum libraries, house important book collections. Visitors follow Johnson's story over five floors, from his childhood to his fame, and can see his Dictionary, watch a short film, try hands-on activities and follow family trails.

Highlights

• Johnson's family home, a Grade I listed house from 1707
• Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language on display
• Five floors telling his life from childhood to fame
• Michael Johnson's workroom with a bookbinding display
• Free cat trail, quill writing and Georgian dressing up for children

Permanent exhibitions

• The life of Samuel Johnson – Displays, reconstructed rooms and audio-visual media over five floors follow Johnson from his childhood in Lichfield to his fame as a writer.
• The Dictionary room – An attic room about Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language, where visitors can see the book and try an interactive word game.
• Michael Johnson's workroom – The workroom of Johnson's father, a bookseller, with a display on bookbinding and a quill-writing activity.

Founded

1901

Operated by

Lichfield City Council

Visitors per year

approx. 16,000

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free and donations are welcome. Group visits without a guided tour are also free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Grade I listed building can only be entered up five steps, has five floors with narrow, old staircases and uneven floors, and has no lift or ramp. A touchscreen in the ground-floor bookshop shows the introduction film and a virtual tour for visitors who prefer to stay downstairs. There is a hearing induction loop at the reception desk, large print guides throughout the building, and seating in several rooms. The introduction film is captioned. There is no toilet on site; the nearest public toilet is in the Bird Street car park. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Families are welcome. There is a free cat trail inspired by Johnson's cat Hodge, seasonal trails, colouring sheets with crayons, handmade toys and puzzles, an interactive word game in the Dictionary room, a quill-writing activity in Michael Johnson's workroom and Georgian-style dressing up. Family-friendly events and workshops run throughout the year, including school holidays, usually on the first floor, which is reached by stairs only. Folding prams can be left in the courtyard lockers and larger buggies in the bookshop, and staff help to lift prams up the entrance steps. The museum is breastfeeding-friendly but has no private room, and there is no baby-changing facility on site. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Getting there & parking

The museum stands on Market Square at the corner of Market Street and Breadmarket Street, opposite Waterstones. Lichfield has easy road access from the A38, A5, M42, M40, M6, M1 and M5. The market square and surrounding pavements are cobbled.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Lockers

There is no café or toilet in the museum, but Lichfield city centre has many places to eat within walking distance. The bookshop at the entrance sells books, souvenirs, toys, stationery and cards. Lockers for bags are in the courtyard.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit