The patrons of the Samuel Johnson Tercentenary are distinguished figures from many different spheres who support the objectives of the Tercentenary: 

• Dame Beryl Bainbridge
• Lord Butler of Brockwell
• Robbie Coltrane
• Lord Harmsworth
• The Rt Revd Lord Harries of Pentregarth
• Giles Henderson
• Professor Andrew Motion
• Jeremy Paxman
• Professor Christopher Ricks
• John Sergeant
• Professor Jenny Uglow
• Lord Young of Norwood Green