This is an opportunity not to be missed and a must for any Georgian calendar. On 22nd September, celebrate Dr Johnson's birthday in his own home, in the company of myself and the fabulous Georgian Dining Academy!Book your tickets now via this link!
Beyond the historic taverns of Fleet Street and through the winding alleyways you'll find a modest 18th Century townhouse. Welcome to 17 Gough Square, built about 1700 by a City father whose name it bares. This house is a rare survivor, not only has it stood up against modern development within the City but is the only surviving residence of the great Dr Samuel Johnson, author of the Dictionary.
Johnson lived in the house between 1748 and 1759, and it was here he was to carry out the major work of compiling the Dictionary, which for over one hundred years was to be the standard work on the English Language. Not only was this house a place of study and work, but it was often the setting for meetings between Johnson and some of the most well-known names of the 18th Century. Their portraits and possessions line the walls and rooms of this historic home.
With that in mind it seemed the perfect place to host a Georgian Dining Academy dinner to celebrate the great man. And on the 22nd Sept we are delighted to welcome you to step back in time through the door of 17 Gough Square. Serving our infamous gin punch in the very room that Johnson and his scribes worked on the Dictionary. You'll enjoy a delicious 3 course meal within the first floor rooms (opened up by truly unique & original 18th Century panelling!) The courses will be interjected with small talks on Dr Johnson, his guests, and his time within the house. Talks will be given by Georgian Dining Academy hosts Miss B & Miss Kitty Pridden, and our guest of honour Catherine Curzon will be giving her own talk on the meeting between Johnson and the King, George III.
We're delighted to be able to host a dinner within these historic walls, and the opportunity to enjoy the house after hours should not be missed. Our events are light-hearted and while we do encourage our guests to dress up and "play Georgian" it is not obligatory. The Georgian Dining Academy has also recently launched its long awaited website, where you can find full information on all our upcoming events and photos and testimonials from our previous dinners.
7 comments:
What a wonderful evening that will be! Wish I could attend!Enjoy!
Maybe one day, I hope so!
Perhaps a toast to Arnold Nesbitt? Although I suspect Mrs. Thrale might have other opinions.
She might indeed!
In the world of Johnson, Goldsmith, Nesbitt and Sheridan, there is a ghost at the feasts, one of the heavy hitters of the period. He was Jeremy/Jeremiah Sneyd who was at the centre of affairs in Downing Street and had an estate in Eling, Hampshire as well as a property on Cleveland Row. His maternal grandfather had King Charles II as a godfather. Quite why he is so absent is interesting given his position and influence. He may have preferred to avoid publicity. He died in 1803 and is buried at Eling.
He cropped up in my research today; what a coincidence!
The Jeremy is from his forebear Dr. Jeremy Taylor the renowned cleric and thinker of the 17th Century and conferred a certain status at the time in the Church of England. Jeremy had a nephew, the Rev. Wetenhall (other spellings and errors) Sneyd who arrived in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 1800 and who would have been well known. A daughter of his, Marianne, some interesting similarities to Marianne Dashwood, married 1809 Sir Arthur Brooke (1772-1843), Wikipedia, at Brading in 1809. Brooke was the Deputy to Ross when the Brit's torched Washington DC in 1814. If we knew Jane's thoughts on this it would be fascinating. Was she rooting for the Brit's or in sympathy with the American's?
Post a Comment