Samuel Johnson investigates the biographical details and literary merits of prominent English poets to establish a critical framework for evaluating their contributions to the canon. Johnson, a preeminent 18th-century essayist and lexicographer, utilizes his extensive knowledge of English literature to provide evaluative commentary on the lives and works of various poets. His argument centers on the intersection of personal character and artistic output, asserting that a poet's life often informs the moral and structural integrity of their verse.

Scholars recognize this work as a foundational text in the history of English literary criticism, despite its subjective biases. Readers frequently note the dense, formal prose style characteristic of the 18th century, which requires careful attention to follow Johnson's complex arguments.