A brief essay on the life and genius of the prolific eighteenth-century English author, followed by a selection of his poetry, letters, and a novella. Under the pen name "Dr. Johnson," English writer Samuel Johnson was a biographer, essayist, lexicographer, literary critic, moralist, playwright, poet, and travel writer. The son of a bookseller, he made so many contributions to the English language that he is regarded as one of the greatest figures of eighteenth-century literature. The first of nine volumes, The Works of Samuel Johnson Volume One includes an essay on the life and genius of Samuel Johnson, followed by a collection of his poetry, including his "Drury Lane Prologue," "On the Death of Mr. Robert Levet," and "The Vanity of Human Wishes." A selection of his personal correspondence is featured as well, along with his great satirical novella, The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia.