The Rambler

Volume 4 only - September 1751 - March 1752

The author of "The Rambler" was Samuel Johnson. The essays were published anonymously, but Johnson's authorship was an open secret. He was paid £100 for each of the 208 essays, which were published weekly from March 20, 1750 to March 14, 1752.

"The Rambler" was a periodical essay, and each essay was typically about 2,500 words long. Johnson wrote on a wide range of topics, including literature, philosophy, history, and current events. He was a master of the English language, and his essays are still read and admired today.

Johnson's authorship of "The Rambler" was first revealed in 1751 by the poet William Whitehead. Whitehead was a friend of Johnson's, and he had been asked by Johnson to keep his authorship secret. However, Whitehead felt that Johnson's work was too important to be kept hidden, and he published a letter in the newspaper revealing Johnson's identity.

Johnson was not pleased with Whitehead's decision, but he accepted it. He knew that his work was good, and he was confident that it would stand the test of time. He was right. "The Rambler" is considered one of the most important works of English literature, and it is still read and admired today.

Author: Samuel Johnson
Dated: 1751 to 1752
Edition: 1st
Size: 16mo
Binding: Calf
Condition Report: Spine title absent. f/f absent. Wear consistent with age. Good plus with index.