Description
First American Edition of the most famous dictionary in English! As referenced in Printing in the Mind of Man (PMM, 201); the first English edition is noted in PMM. Dictionary of the English Language by Samuel Johnson. Philadelphia: Jacob Johnson, 1805. Full leather with red leather label and gilt on spine. Covers worn and possibly reinforced (it's hard to tell, as if it was done, it was done well). Paper toned, esp. the end papers. Still very good/very good minus condition. Former owner's signature on the title page. If you were thinking this was the lexicographer John Walker who wrote The Critical Pronouncing Dictionary in 1791, I have bad news; Walker died in 1807 and this signature notes 1809. Description of Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language in PMM In Printing and the Mind of Man , Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language (first published in 1755 in England, with this being the first US edition published) is treated as one of the most significant works in the history of the English language. The catalogue typically emphasizes the following key points: 1. Lexicographical Milestone Johnson’s Dictionary is recognized as the first major English dictionary to be based on literary principles rather than just word lists. Unlike earlier dictionaries, Johnson provided illustrative quotations from reputable authors like Shakespeare, Milton, and Dryden to demonstrate usage. 2. Standardization of English The Dictionary is lauded for standardizing English spelling and usage at a time when these were highly inconsistent. Johnson’s influence on written English was profound and long-lasting, shaping the norms that many later dictionaries followed. 3. Personal Insight and Wit PMM often notes Johnson’s distinctive personality, wit, and critical insight in his definitions. Some definitions reflect his sardonic humor or personal views (e.g., “Oats: a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.”) 4. Cultural and Educational Impact The exhibit places Johnson’s Dictionary in the context of 18th-century Enlightenment ideals —rationality, order, and education. It was a tool not just for scholars, but also for the rising literate middle class who sought to refine their language and intellect.
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