By the start of the twentieth century, Dr Johnson’s House was empty and derelict. In 1911, the house was bought by philanthropist Cecil Harmsworth, a Liberal MP. He restored it and opened it to the public, building a cottage next door for the resident Curator. In 1929, a Trust was formed to run the House, and in 2007 the charity was incorporated. Today, Dr Johnson's House is an independent, fully accredited museum and run by Dr Johnson’s House Trust Ltd, registered charity (no 1122396).
Dr Johnson’s House is a charming Georgian townhouse, nestled amongst a maze of courts and alleys in the historic City of London. Samuel Johnson, writer and wit, lived here in the mid-18th century, and compiled his great Dictionary of the English Language in the Garret. Today, the House is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday, with collections relating to Johnson, restored interiors, and a research library. and events. We provide educational workshops at all levels, six days a week.
Volunteers at Dr Johnson's House benefit from meeting new people and gaining behind-the-scenes experience in a small historic house. We recruit people of all ages and backgrounds to join our friendly volunteer team.