Francis Barber

Francis Barber (Jamaica ca. 1735 - Stafford, 1801) was the manservant of Samuel Johnson, who made him his residual heir, with £70 a year to be given him by Trustees, on condition that he moved from London to Lichfield, Johnson's native city. Johnson did this, opening a draper's shop and marrying a local girl. Barber was also left Johnson's books and papers, and a gold watch. In later years he had acted as Johnson's secretary and assistant in compiling his Dictionary.

Barber is often mentioned in James Boswell's Life of Johnson and other contemporary sources, and a portrait now in Johnson's House was probably painted by Northcote.

His descendents still farm near Lichfield.

External links

• 100 Great black britons
• BBC feature
• Transcript of Johnson's Will]
• Life, including portrait