[1] The museum opened in 1901 and is dedicated to the life and works of the author and lexicographer Samuel Johnson who wrote the first authoritative Dictionary of the English Language.

[3] The front of the house faces onto the Market Square and on this side the upper storeys are jettied outwards over the ground floor.

[3] As built this projecting front was supported at each end by a plain pillar, these continued upwards on the corners of the upper storeys by pilasters of the Ionic order.

[3] The facing of the house was red brown brick and the roof tiles were blue black.

[6] The museum was run by the city council until 1974, when its management was transferred to the Dr Johnson Birthplace Trust.

Visitors are taken through the colourful life and major achievements of Lichfield's most famous son, from troubled childhood, through literary obscurity and financial poverty, to world renown and success.

Personal items include Johnson's armchair, tea set, breakfast table and portable writing desk, David Garrick's walking stick and a bookcase belonging to James Boswell.