Statue of Samuel Johnson
Statue of Samuel Johnson
3.5
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The area
Neighborhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighborhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighborhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
- Temple • 6 min walk
- Chancery Lane • 7 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
9 reviews
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Epic-Traveller
Rushden, UK4,527 contributions
Sep 2019
On the base of the statue the following is engraved:
"Samuel Johnson LLD, critic, essayist, philologist, biographer, wit, poet, moralist, dramatist, political writer, talker. Born 1709, died 1784. The gift and handiwork of Percy Fitzgerald, F.S.A. and erected by the Revd. S. Pennington, M.A., Rector of St. Clement Danes, 1910."
The statue is close to St Clement Danes Church which is the Church that Johnson attended. The statue and the base, including the three busts and the surrounding area are, to say it nicely, not the most visually pleasing considering the area and could do with a good clean.
"Samuel Johnson LLD, critic, essayist, philologist, biographer, wit, poet, moralist, dramatist, political writer, talker. Born 1709, died 1784. The gift and handiwork of Percy Fitzgerald, F.S.A. and erected by the Revd. S. Pennington, M.A., Rector of St. Clement Danes, 1910."
The statue is close to St Clement Danes Church which is the Church that Johnson attended. The statue and the base, including the three busts and the surrounding area are, to say it nicely, not the most visually pleasing considering the area and could do with a good clean.
Written September 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA16,947 contributions
Aug 2022
It stands in the shadow of a church. This is one of many statues and monuments we passed as we walked along Fleet Street from St Paul’s Cathedral to Trafalgar Square.
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taxidevil
Glasgow, UK2,935 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
This small statue of Samuel Johnson could be easily overlooked as it is situated at the back of St Clement Danes Church, the church which I believe Johnson attended.
It is small ( perhaps it is lifesized) and poor Johnson looks very old and jowly so it is not the most flattering of statues.
Samuel Johnson was a writer but is perhaps best known for his dictionary. You can also visit his house at 17 Gough Square, Holborn.
It is small ( perhaps it is lifesized) and poor Johnson looks very old and jowly so it is not the most flattering of statues.
Samuel Johnson was a writer but is perhaps best known for his dictionary. You can also visit his house at 17 Gough Square, Holborn.
Written July 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
This is a statue of the Dr Samuel Johnson, who worked on the famous "A Dictionary of the English Language".
As for the statue, it's okay. It looks kind of comical. I'd expected something better for a man of such significance. I wouldn't go out of the way to see it, but fine if you're in the area.
As for the statue, it's okay. It looks kind of comical. I'd expected something better for a man of such significance. I wouldn't go out of the way to see it, but fine if you're in the area.
Written January 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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