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:
“So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor?” Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?””
—Bible: Hebrew, Esther 6:6.
“I have thought of a pulley to raise me gradually; but that would give me pain, as it would counteract my natural inclination. I would have something that can dissipate the vis inertiae and give elasticity to the muscles.... We can heat the body, we can cool it; we can give it tension or relaxation; and surely it is possible to bring it into a state in which rising from bed will not be a pain.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)