Dr Johnson's House on 17 at 17 Gough Square was formed to protect the great man's legacy, and yet it is forbidden from becoming a museum by its founder. The head curator talks about the collection, and how they walk the line between purpose and protection: http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/dr-johnsons-house-biography-and-display

Dr Johnson lived at 17 Gough Square from 1748-59, where he compiled his famous Dictionary of the English Language. The house has been used to present Johnson's life and works to the public since the early 20th century with a small, but representative, collection, adhering to the aim that "the House should never come to be regarded as a museum or an emporium of irrelevant 18th-century bric-a-brac" but should reflect Johnson's situation in those years and tell his story. Highlights of the collection show how it is used for biographical interpretation.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College Website: http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/dr-johnsons-house-biography-and-display

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