A Famous Samuel Johnson Quotation

I said in my very first post that I admired Samuel Johnson as a leading intellectual in London society. He developed and published the first English Dictionary in 1755. The famous quotation in this post is based on the following events.

A Reverend Dr. William Dodd, a friend of Johnson's, and a theologian, was incarcerated at the famous London Newcastle prison, waiting to be hanged. Due to an extravagant lifestyle he forged a bond in the name of the Earl of Chesterfield, was caught, and sentenced to death.

Prior to his hanging he asked Johnson to write one last letter for him to the King begging for clemency. Johnson agreed to do so but only on the condition that he write it anonymously for Dodd's signature. Dodd agreed. The appeal failed and he was hanged.

Boswell and others, including a Reverend Mr. Seward, didn't believe Dodd capable of writing such an eloquent, though unsuccessful, appeal. In denying authorship to Seward, Dr. Johnson famously said: "Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates the mind wonderfully."

Boswell later found evidence, including a 'thank you' letter from Dodd, among Johnson's writing that indicated Johnson had, indeed, written the letter.

Source: The Life of Samuel Johnson, LLD., James Boswell.