Feb. 13, 2025

"Made Mad All My Life" : Samuel Johnson's Struggle with Mental Illness

In this episode ofThe Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we exploreSamuel Johnson: The Struggle by Jeffrey Meyers, a biography that captures the towering intellect and deep personal battles of one of literature’s greatest minds. Johnson’s life was marked by chronic illness, poverty, and lifelong struggles with depression, yet he rose to literary fame, becoming a key figure in 18th-century thought.

We examine Johnson’s complex personality, his friendships, and his views on society, as well as how melancholy shaped both his suffering and his creative brilliance. Was his genius inseparable from his inner turmoil? Join us as we uncover the struggles behind his literary legacy.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #SamuelJohnson #MelancholyAndGenius #18thCenturyLiterature #CreativityAndMentalHealth #TheCreativeMind #Podcast