author
R. (Richard) Johnson
1733–1793
An energetic 18th-century writer for young readers, he helped shape early children’s literature in Britain with moral tales, story collections, and educational books. His work ranged from playful instruction to adaptations inspired by the Arabian Nights.
1 Audiobook
The Blossoms of Morality Intended for the Amusement and Instruction of Young Ladies and Gentlemen
by M. (Arnaud) Berquin, R. (Richard) Johnson
About the author
Richard Johnson was an English writer, compiler, and editor active in the second half of the 18th century. Sources found during this search describe him as born in 1733 or 1734 and dying in 1793, and they link him especially with writing for children and young people.
He is remembered for producing a wide variety of books meant to entertain while teaching lessons in conduct, reading, and general knowledge. Catalog and scholarly sources connected with his name include Juvenile Sports and Pastimes, The Blossoms of Morality, Poetical Blossoms, and The Oriental Moralist, the last an adaptation of stories from the Arabian Nights published under the pseudonym Reverend J. Cooper.
Johnson also appears to have worked beyond straightforward authorship, with bibliographic sources describing him as an editor, proofreader, indexer, and compiler. That mix of roles helps explain the range of books associated with him and his lasting place in the history of early children’s publishing.