My Sam Johnson Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:33:28 -0400 https://mysamjohnson.com/ af © 2026 My Sam Johnson yes 7c4ade54-0e88-581f-8bff-11af8dff86b0 wayne@waynejones.ca Wayne Jones episodic false – Wayne talks about his biography of 18th-century English writer Samuel Johnson –


– My Sam Johnson: A Biography for General Readers (William & Park, 2023) –


– MySamJohnson.com –


– © 2026 by Wayne Jones | All rights reserved –

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Wayne Jones wayne@waynejones.ca https://storage.buzzsprout.com/c541fuybhywnsgx7uk9xjq0b8qjh?.jpg My Sam Johnson https://mysamjohnson.com/ Sam's Wife Tetty, Boswell, and Goldsmith on Sam's Writing Sam's Wife Tetty, Boswell, and Goldsmith on Sam's Writing This is the revived podcast (and blog), which have been hiatus while I actually finished writing the biography of Sam. That's now done, and in this episode I provide an update on progress, as well as two anecdotes from Sam's life: his wife's reaction to his Rambler essays, and Sam's reaction to two of his friends haranguing him about doing more writing.

]]> This is the revived podcast (and blog), which have been hiatus while I actually finished writing the biography of Sam. That's now done, and in this episode I provide an update on progress, as well as two anecdotes from Sam's life: his wife's reaction to his Rambler essays, and Sam's reaction to two of his friends haranguing him about doing more writing.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-13274029 Sun, 23 Jul 2023 19:00:00 -0400 420 false Sam and Wayne, Friends and Followers Sam and Wayne, Friends and Followers Wayne talks about some of Sam's friendships, and also announces that this will be the last podcast episode (and blog posting) of My Sam Johnson. If you've been a follower of the podcast, and you'd like a free signed copy of the book when it's published in 2022, listen in for Wayne's email and text number (613-884-8953), so that he can contact you.

]]> Wayne talks about some of Sam's friendships, and also announces that this will be the last podcast episode (and blog posting) of My Sam Johnson. If you've been a follower of the podcast, and you'd like a free signed copy of the book when it's published in 2022, listen in for Wayne's email and text number (613-884-8953), so that he can contact you.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9423397 Sun, 24 Oct 2021 14:00:00 -0400 394 false Sam Prays Sam Prays Wayne discusses God and Sam's prayers to that God, as well as the fact that in the prayers that Sam composed, using time well and getting things done are major focuses. Bonus: there's also some talk about sex and sensuality.

]]> Wayne discusses God and Sam's prayers to that God, as well as the fact that in the prayers that Sam composed, using time well and getting things done are major focuses. Bonus: there's also some talk about sex and sensuality.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9413221 Fri, 22 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1196 false Details from Sam's Biographers: Who Thinks What Is Important Details from Sam's Biographers: Who Thinks What Is Important Wayne talks about the process of writing a biography, where often you have to gather all the information you can find about the person, but then cannot use all that information because it wouldn't make for a readable biography.

]]> Wayne talks about the process of writing a biography, where often you have to gather all the information you can find about the person, but then cannot use all that information because it wouldn't make for a readable biography.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9377359 Fri, 15 Oct 2021 20:00:00 -0400 1160 false Sam's Signature Sam's Signature Wayne talks about Sam's signature on letters, and then goes on to discuss letter-writing in the 18th and 21st centuries.

]]> Wayne talks about Sam's signature on letters, and then goes on to discuss letter-writing in the 18th and 21st centuries.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9329542 Thu, 07 Oct 2021 14:00:00 -0400 1790 false Sam Takes a Long Trip to Scotland Sam Takes a Long Trip to Scotland Wayne talks mostly about three road trips to the US he's taken with his friend Oscar, as well as a bit about plans for the book.

]]> Wayne talks mostly about three road trips to the US he's taken with his friend Oscar, as well as a bit about plans for the book.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9285565 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 02:00:00 -0400 1402 false What Was Sam Up to as a Gen Z? What Was Sam Up to as a Gen Z? Wayne talks about what he—Wayne—was up to in his early 20's.

]]> Wayne talks about what he—Wayne—was up to in his early 20's.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9254443 Fri, 24 Sep 2021 13:00:00 -0400 1621 false Sam's Selfies Sam's Selfies Wayne talks about the various portraits of Sam Johnson, but the discussion somehow also morphs into selfies of avocado toast and Kim Kardashian's ass, but Wayne recovers and ends up talking about the demise of literary writing. (Is that a recovery?) He ends by talking about the biography of Sam that he is writing and the website that will complement it.

]]> Wayne talks about the various portraits of Sam Johnson, but the discussion somehow also morphs into selfies of avocado toast and Kim Kardashian's ass, but Wayne recovers and ends up talking about the demise of literary writing. (Is that a recovery?) He ends by talking about the biography of Sam that he is writing and the website that will complement it.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9210193 Thu, 16 Sep 2021 23:00:00 -0400 1096 false Sam and Universities Sam and Universities Wayne talks about freedom of expression at universities, pivoting from the recent resignation of assistant professor of philosophy Peter Boghossian from Portland State University. Also: the study of Sam in English departments.

]]> Wayne talks about freedom of expression at universities, pivoting from the recent resignation of assistant professor of philosophy Peter Boghossian from Portland State University. Also: the study of Sam in English departments.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9166555 Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0400 1304 false Sam Johnson, Blockhead Sam Johnson, Blockhead Wayne talks about Sam's attitude toward writing, and then goes on to discuss why any writer writes and what are the most important things in writing generally.

]]> Wayne talks about Sam's attitude toward writing, and then goes on to discuss why any writer writes and what are the most important things in writing generally.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9130932 Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:00:00 -0400 1504 false Sam Was Not Woke Sam Was Not Woke Wake discusses wokeness and Sam Johnson, with some examples from Sam's writing life. There's also a digression on Wayne's experience on Twitter.

]]> Wake discusses wokeness and Sam Johnson, with some examples from Sam's writing life. There's also a digression on Wayne's experience on Twitter.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9080079 Tue, 24 Aug 2021 13:00:00 -0400 1339 false Happy with Sam Happy with Sam Wayne discusses happiness and his chat with Gretchen Rubin, author of the New York Times bestselling book, Happier at Home.

]]> Wayne discusses happiness and his chat with Gretchen Rubin, author of the New York Times bestselling book, Happier at Home.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9043722 Tue, 17 Aug 2021 13:00:00 -0400 1940 false Sam Johnson: Rambler, Adventurer, Idler Sam Johnson: Rambler, Adventurer, Idler Wayne talks about style and tone and how they are different in the three periodicals that Sam wrote: the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler. He also calls on some modern examples of literature, writing,  and film to bolster the point about the importance of style, notably "On Good People and Bad People" by Matt Taibbi; Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov; Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; the book and film versions of American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis; and the film Calm Like a Bomb, directed by Mauro Russo Rouge.

]]> Wayne talks about style and tone and how they are different in the three periodicals that Sam wrote: the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler. He also calls on some modern examples of literature, writing,  and film to bolster the point about the importance of style, notably "On Good People and Bad People" by Matt Taibbi; Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov; Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; the book and film versions of American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis; and the film Calm Like a Bomb, directed by Mauro Russo Rouge.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-9011680 Wed, 11 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0400 2071 false The English Language and Sam's Dictionary The English Language and Sam's Dictionary Wayne talks about the Dictionary of the English Language that Sam compiled, and which was published in 1755.

]]> Wayne talks about the Dictionary of the English Language that Sam compiled, and which was published in 1755.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8976950 Wed, 04 Aug 2021 20:00:00 -0400 1173 false Sam and Home Sam and Home Wayne discusses Rambler essay no. 68 (Tuesday, November 10, 1750), and makes comments on it, especially as it relates to two incidents that happened to him during the week.

]]> Wayne discusses Rambler essay no. 68 (Tuesday, November 10, 1750), and makes comments on it, especially as it relates to two incidents that happened to him during the week.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8948785 Fri, 30 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0400 1425 false Sam Dying Sam Dying Wayne describes and comments on the last three weeks of Sam's life, prompted by the account kept by one of Sam's friends, John Hoole.

]]> Wayne describes and comments on the last three weeks of Sam's life, prompted by the account kept by one of Sam's friends, John Hoole.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8915642 Sat, 24 Jul 2021 13:00:00 -0400 1231 false Sam's Health Sam's Health Wayne talks about Sam's health through his life from birth to death, but mostly focuses on his (Wayne's) methods for researching, organizing, and writing the biography, My Sam Johnson, anticipated to be published in 2022.

]]> Wayne talks about Sam's health through his life from birth to death, but mostly focuses on his (Wayne's) methods for researching, organizing, and writing the biography, My Sam Johnson, anticipated to be published in 2022.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8875737 Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:00:00 -0400 1400 false Sam, Sam, and Technology Sam, Sam, and Technology Wayne talked to his nephew Sam about current technology, 18th-century technology, and the tech things that are of interest to at least one 11-year-old boy.

]]> Wayne talked to his nephew Sam about current technology, 18th-century technology, and the tech things that are of interest to at least one 11-year-old boy.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8832310 Thu, 08 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0400 836 false Sam Leaves Lichfield Sam Leaves Lichfield Lacking success in finding teaching or writing jobs in Lichfield, Sam moves to London to pursue a literary career.

]]> Lacking success in finding teaching or writing jobs in Lichfield, Sam moves to London to pursue a literary career.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8780180 Mon, 28 Jun 2021 23:00:00 -0400 845 false Me, Sam, Writing, and Memory Me, Sam, Writing, and Memory Wayne talks about the progress with his book, from the beginning, right to 1:27 pm.

]]> Wayne talks about the progress with his book, from the beginning, right to 1:27 pm.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8752293 Wed, 23 Jun 2021 14:00:00 -0400 579 false The Subject of Biography The Subject of Biography Wayne discusses the reasons he is interested in Sam Johnson as a subject for biography.

]]> Wayne discusses the reasons he is interested in Sam Johnson as a subject for biography.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8721604 Thu, 17 Jun 2021 17:00:00 -0400 645 false A Couple of Books and Surprises A Couple of Books and Surprises Wayne reads and comments on three letters written by Sam Johnson.

]]> Wayne reads and comments on three letters written by Sam Johnson.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8681345 Thu, 10 Jun 2021 16:00:00 -0400 523 false Sam's Tetty Sam's Tetty Wayne relates some funny anecdotes from the life and marriage of Tetty and Sam, and makes some final comments about empathy and biography.

]]> Wayne relates some funny anecdotes from the life and marriage of Tetty and Sam, and makes some final comments about empathy and biography.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8646280 Fri, 04 Jun 2021 16:00:00 -0400 415 false Sam Johnson, Married and Widowed Sam Johnson, Married and Widowed Wayne reads from the prayers that Sam Johnson wrote a few weeks after the death of his wife in 1752.

]]> Wayne reads from the prayers that Sam Johnson wrote a few weeks after the death of his wife in 1752.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8603289 Fri, 28 May 2021 01:00:00 -0400 180 false Clean Linen: Sam, Sheets, and Personal Hygiene in the 18th Century Clean Linen: Sam, Sheets, and Personal Hygiene in the 18th Century Wayne talks about Sam's eating practices and how they relate to his character, as well as how he ended up singeing his wigs so often.

]]> Wayne talks about Sam's eating practices and how they relate to his character, as well as how he ended up singeing his wigs so often.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8564420 Fri, 21 May 2021 15:00:00 -0400 195 false General: "Publick; Comprising the Whole" General: "Publick; Comprising the Whole" Wayne discusses Sam Johnson's writing style and his plans to try to encourage more reading of Johnson in the biography that he's writing.

]]> Wayne discusses Sam Johnson's writing style and his plans to try to encourage more reading of Johnson in the biography that he's writing.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8521727 Fri, 14 May 2021 15:00:00 -0400 175 false Sam's Thoughts and Prayers Sam's Thoughts and Prayers Examples of a couple of Sam's prayers and how they illustrate his character and mindset.

]]> Examples of a couple of Sam's prayers and how they illustrate his character and mindset.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8475541 Thu, 06 May 2021 23:00:00 -0400 171 false Sam Gets Married and Looks for a Job Sam Gets Married and Looks for a Job Sam gets married in 1735 to a widow named Elizabeth ("Tetty") Jervis, and for a year or so they try to get him set up as a teacher.

]]> Sam gets married in 1735 to a widow named Elizabeth ("Tetty") Jervis, and for a year or so they try to get him set up as a teacher.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8426361 Thu, 29 Apr 2021 01:00:00 -0400 179 false In Terms of "In Terms Of" In Terms of "In Terms Of" Wayne consults Sam Johnson's dictionary, published in 1755, to see if it contains a definition or a use of the phrase "in terms of" as we use it today – and ends with a brief summary of the state of digitization of this dictionary.

]]> Wayne consults Sam Johnson's dictionary, published in 1755, to see if it contains a definition or a use of the phrase "in terms of" as we use it today – and ends with a brief summary of the state of digitization of this dictionary.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8378239 Wed, 21 Apr 2021 13:00:00 -0400 179 false Sam and the Ossian Fraud Sam and the Ossian Fraud Sam defends himself against a fraud poet who claimed that he (the poet) had translated the poems of a 3rd-century poet named Ossian. Sam said they were fakes – and they did turn out to be so.

]]> Sam defends himself against a fraud poet who claimed that he (the poet) had translated the poems of a 3rd-century poet named Ossian. Sam said they were fakes – and they did turn out to be so.

]]> Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8343886 Thu, 15 Apr 2021 19:00:00 -0400 179 false Sam and Editing Sam and Editing Wayne Jones Buzzsprout-8296663 Thu, 08 Apr 2021 11:00:00 -0400 180 false