The Society was founded in 1910 following the local celebrations of the bi-centenary of Johnson's birth the previous year. The Society took a prominent part in the annual September Birthday Celebrations which had been started in 1903 by Lichfield City Council. Outings to places with Johnsonian associations were an important activity for the Society from its outset and these visits continue today.
After the Second World War the Society began to publish its annual Transactions. This has continued ever since. Each year a new President has been installed at the Birthday Supper in the Guildhall. The presidents have been chosen from many areas of public life reflecting the wide-ranging appeal of Samuel Johnson. Prominent Johnson scholars have included R. W. Chapman, L. F. Powell, Mary Hyde, J. L. Clifford, Mary Lascelles, Donald Greene and latterly Graham Nicholls. Figures from the worlds of broadcasting, the press, the church, industry, law, politics and literature include Lord Harmsworth, Frank Muir, John Wain, Malcolm Muggeridge, Robert Robinson, Richard Ingram, Enoch Powell, Lord Bingham of Cornhill, Dame Beryl Bainbridge, biographer Adam Sisman, broadcaster, journalist and author John Sergeant, Lord Butler of Brockwell and writer and broadcaster Nigel Rees. The is the current president is the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield.
In 1900 Lichfield City Council purchased the house in the Market Square in which Johnson had been born. With its world-wide membership the Johnson Society has been active in preserving the Museum and has frequently assisted the City Council in the purchase of Johnsonian items. The Society takes part in other appropriate events and commemorations. Recent examples include sponsorship of drama workshops for local schools.