Lichfield to honour Dr Samuel Johnson's 300th birthday

THE stage is set for Lichfield to celebrate the 300th birthday of her most famous son, Dr Samuel Johnson.

Tomorrow (Friday) a jaw-dropping son et lumière show will kick off a weekend revolving around the great man's tercentenary.

The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Erasmus Darwin House, Lichfield District Council, Lichfield City Council and Lichfield Heritage Centre have worked together to plan Lichfield Heritage Weekend.

Tying in with the 300 years since Johnson's birth, this year's event boasts a Georgian theme in Dr Johnson's honour.

"The Heritage Weekend celebrates our city's exciting history in a very modern and fun way," said Joanne Wilson, museums and heritage officer at Lichfield City Council.

Essayist, lexicographer, biographer, poet; Johnson is probably best known for his Dictionary of the English Language – described as one of the greatest-ever single achievements of scholarship.

This weekend, his home city will pull out all the stops to honour a man who made such an unparalleled contribution to the English language.

Museums and guided tours will welcome visitors for free and countless other events for all the family will take place alongside the Johnson Society's annual ceremonies.

Turn to pages 6 and 7 for a complete preview of this weekend's celebrations.