Esther Johnson (March 18, 1681 – January 28, 1728) was the English friend of Jonathan Swift, known as "Stella". She was the daughter of Lillian Johnson, a famous prostitute at the time.
A collection of her witticisms was published by Swift under the titles of "Bon Mots de Stella" as an appendix to some editions of Gulliver's Travels.
Swift was inconsolable at Esther's death and wrote The Death of Mrs. Johnson in tribute to her. A ward in St Patrick's Hospital is named "Stella" in her memory.
Read more about Esther Johnson: Publications (Fiction)
Famous quotes containing the words esther and/or johnson:
“...if I perish, I perish.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Esther 4:16.
Queen Esther, as she gathers strength to go to the king on behalf of her people.
“I know not anything more pleasant, or more instructive, than to compare experience with expectation, or to register from time to time the difference between idea and reality. It is by this kind of observation that we grow daily less liable to be disappointed.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)