Samuel Johnson investigates the intersection of biography and literary evaluation to determine the moral and aesthetic value of the English poetic tradition. Johnson, a preeminent 18th-century essayist and lexicographer, utilizes his extensive knowledge of the English canon to provide critical assessments of fifty-two poets. He argues that a poet's life and character are inextricably linked to the quality and reception of their work, establishing a framework that prioritizes moral clarity and linguistic precision.

Scholars recognize this work as a foundational text in the history of English literary criticism. Readers frequently note the dense, authoritative prose style characteristic of Johnson's period, which remains a standard reference for 18th-century literary studies.