Oxford
For five days last week, 113 Johnsonians descended on Pembroke College, Oxford, to celebrate the birth 300 years ago of Samuel Johnson, that Infant Hercules of Toryism, as Boswell memorably called him. They ranged from the top scholars in the field to ordinary mortals with an interest in Johnson and came from as far away as China, Japan, and Australia. But let’s make it clear from the beginning: Johnsonians are very different from Jane Austen groupies, who dress up in period costumes and bonnets for their gatherings, much like Civil War reenactors. Johnsonians take a dim view of such theatrics. There was not periwig or a buckled shoe in sight.

Pembroke was Johnson’s college, though only for 13 months: He had to leave in 1729 without a degree because he fell behind on the fees. Boswell tells us how Johnson used to come to Christ Church across the street to copy the lecture notes of a friend, until too embarrassed to show himself, as his toes stuck out of his shoes, which was remarked upon by the snooty Christ Church men.