Items of note among the writings of noah webster include websters manuscript draft of the printed circular of february 25 1807, addressed to the friends of literature in the united states. His first dictionary, a compendious dictionary of the english language, appeared in 1806. Noah webster, gods law, and the united states constitution. The fourth son of five children of noah and mercy steele webster, young noah showed exceptional scholarly talents as a child, and his father sacrificed much in order that his son would gain the best education available. Webster provided the first instruction for americans in our federal constitutional form of government in his american spelling book of 1794, which contained a federal catechism. The first person to write a dictionary of american english and. Noah webster 17581843 was the man of words in early 19thcentury america.
May 03, 2011 nypls manuscripts and archives division holds the papers of noah webster. By 1850 the annual sales of websters spelling book was about 1,000,000 copies. American lexicographer and journalist, was born at west hartford, connecticut, on the 16th of october 1758. He was born at west hartford, connecticut, on the 16th of october 1758. Common school it knows no distinction of rich and poor, of bond.
Noah websters american dictionary of the english language. Noah webster was an american lexicographer, journalist, textbook author, and spelling reformer. He was, even at that time, particularly interested that americans pronounce and spell words in the american way, not the british way. Webster american spelling book blue backed speller mcguffery readers elementary textbooks that became accepted as basis for reading and moral instruction promoted hard work, punctuality, and sobriety. In june of 2004 miss geraldine rodgers sent me her essay, why noah websters way was the right way. Noah webster, american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language. Noah webster was a famous american lexicographer, political writer, editor and english language spelling reformer. Noah websters influence on american spelling jstor. Previous to this 1783 edition, i published websters 1908 elementary spelling book as a scanned copy. The american dictionary, which he compiled when he was fifty years of age, was his greatest achievement i found that this book, republished from the original 1942 edition. Celebrate noah webster, father of american orthography. You will eliminate the need to buy a multitude of graded workbooks for each of.
This key to pronunciation is from noah websters elementary spelling book 1908. Webster s has become a genericized trademark in the u. Several times webster ran out of money, but he received financial support from. Down to 1889, 62,000,000 copies of the book had been sold. Known by its colored cover, websters bluebacked speller remained popular for more than 100 years. The first part of the grammatical institute of the english language. Noah webster 17581843, best known for his compilation of the american english dictionary, was also famous in his day for the american spelling book. This advertisement described websters work in gathering material for the dictionary and also the financial burden it entailed.
Before publication of this book in 1783, many schools used thomas dilworths a new guide to the english tongue. On june 15, 1775 the continental congress appointed george washington commander in chief of the american army, which was laying siege to boston. It isnt in the best of shape, but considering it s age, i know it has to have some value. In 1806 webster published a compendious dictionary of the english language, the first truly american dictionary. Noah websters the american spelling book websters speller was first published in 1783 under the title the grammatical institute, part 1. He was descended from john webster of hartford, who was governor of connecticut in 16561657, and on his mother s side from governor william bradford of plymouth.
Other articles where the american spelling book is discussed. In 1822 he returned to new haven, and the next year he received the degree of ll. In it, he popularized features which would become a hallmark of. Dec 25, 2016 i have the original american spelling book from 1783 written by noah webster. The father of american scholarship and education, american lexicographer noah webster 17581843 was an author whose astonishingly prolific career included numerous textbooks for elementary education. Webster, a onetime deist who embraced evangelical christianity at midlife, was born in west hartford connecticut and. Fowler s modern english usage one finds this sly dig at his british brethren. Compiler of a dictionary which has become the standard for american english, he also compiled the american spelling book, which was the basic textbook for young readers in early 19thcentury america. Noah webster s influence on american spelling conrad t. A typical american farm boy who made good under difficulties, noah websters influence in the development of the united states was a real contribution to its growth.
Noah webster 17581843, the author of the readers and spelling books which dominated the american market at the time, spent decades of research in compiling his dictionaries. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling. Even with todays spellcheck and online resources, many americans still think websters when they have a question regarding spelling and word definitions. Containing the rudiments of the english language for the use of schools in the united states by noah webster 1836 edition online, the famous blue. In his speller, he separated words by syllable and categorized them by the s y llable that received the accent. Websters class of 1778 was a very distinguished one, with noah himself, joel barlow and oliver wolcott. Institute of the english language, also known as the american spelling book, or the. Generations of american school children learned spelling and language using this tiny tome by noah webster. Noah webster reforms the teaching of english in the united states.
Noah webster books list of books by author noah webster. Noah webster and the dream of a common language connecticut. His bluebacked speller books taught five generations of american children how to spell and read, secularizing their education. Noah webster, born october 16, 1758, west hartford, connecticut, u. The following is a partial listing of the descendants of noah webster who are represented in the noah webster family papers. I have the original american spelling book from 1783. Noah webster 17581843 american, words, books, and dictionary. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. Reading this facsimile reproduction of the 1824 editionfeaturing original typeface and languagerequires perseverance, but the reward is a deeper appreciation. American and british spelling of words yourdictionary. Three years after its first publication webster changed the title to its current title. Websters diary, august 12, 1784, published in ford, p. This biography provides detailed information about his.
Originally published in 1788, it was the standard text for over a century. In the early republic, no man did more than noah webster 17581843 to promote an education in the emerging american culture. Don worked several years typing and editing websters 1908 elementary spelling book for use today. When he finished in 1828, at the age of 70, noahs dictionary defined over 65,000 words. Ageappropriate lessons taught schoolchildren to read and write, helping to define and unify american language. Noah webster s diary, march 28, 1784, original manuscript in new york public library 4. Better living through spelling national endowment for the.
On december 1830, webster and his traveling companions arrived in washington, d. Of what importance that our first examples be good and our first impressions virtuous. His bluebacked speller books taught five generations of american children how to spell and read. The american spelling book by noah webster, hardcover. The elementary spelling book by noah webster, circa 1845. Noah webster biography childhood, life achievements. Noah webster was in the sixth generation of his family in america.
This edition of websters spelling book is a reprint of an 1866 edition, but the type has been enlarged and many portions have been retypeset in modern type. Noah websters diary, april 17, 11767, original in new york public library 3. Born a farmers son in what is now west hartford, connecticut, webster attended yale college. Twentyfive million copies of webster s spelling book were used in schools during his lifetime. Noah webster father of the dictionary by isabel proudfit. See the fact file below for more information on the noah webster or alternatively, you can download our 21page noah webster worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
The elementary spelling book is an ideal tool for home education, personal tutoring, private schools, or just to supplement public education. In 1783 american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, english spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author noah webster offsite link issued from. Jun 24, 2016 webster also published a new edition of his american spelling book before the expired in 1832. Even with todays spellcheck and online resources, many americans still think websters when they have a question regarding spelling and. The american spelling book national museum of american. Use noah websters speller as the basic text and supplement with an english handbook. Over the course of 385 editions in his lifetime, the title was changed in 1786 to the american spelling book, and again in 1829 to the elementary spelling book. Reading this facsimile reproduction of the 1824 editionfeaturing original typeface and languagerequires perseverance, but the reward is a deeper appreciation of days gone by. He has been called the father of american scholarship and education.
For more information on this milestone in american reference publishing, please see noah websters spelling reform and a sample glossary from a compendious dictionary of the english language. Spelling book synonyms, spelling book pronunciation, spelling book translation, english dictionary definition of spelling book. While it incorporated material from earlier spellers of british origins, it was the first of the american spellers and was widely imitated and copied. School rooms across the country, as well as pioneer families in their own homes taught children to read from it. Oct 07, 2014 noah webster and moving away from british english october 7, 2014 melissa 8 comments eliminating the unnecessary u, many duplicate consonants, the redundant e, converting diphthongs into simple vowels and turning the combination of e and r at the end of a word the right way around, americans significantly changed the spelling of many english words. It sold so well that webster was able to construct his new haven, connecticut. Noah webster webster, noah, 17581843 the online books. This edition of noah websters the american spelling book was published by holbrook and fessenden of brattleborough now brattleboro, vermont in 1821. Noah webster was an american lexicographer known for his 1783 american spelling book and his american dictionary of english language. Noah websters influence on american spelling conrad t. He went to yale and was the only one of the websters five children to go past grammar school. For more than 100 years, his biblepacked books taught americans to read, spell, pronounce, and define words. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, works, achievements and timeline. June 10, 2004 it was this essay that motivated me to start teaching websters spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling.
Noah webster, american language, and websters speller background. Noah webster biography life, children, death, history. The american spelling book work by webster britannica. Sep 14, 2010 noah websters own influence on america is incalculable. He was descended from john webster of hartford, governor of. Spelling book definition of spelling book by the free.
About a year later, i published websters 1824 american spelling book for parents and private schools to use to teach reading and spelling. May 20, 2018 noah webster had begun spelling reform with his blue backed speller. See all books authored by noah webster, including noah websters first edition of an american dictionary of the english language american christian history education series, and the original blue back speller vocabulary of a warrior, and more on. Your child will compile his own notebook while he learns spelling, handwriting, grammar, and vocabulary. Logan state teachers college, harr is burg, virginia in lers taining that modern of wittiest dictionaries, english and h. He socialized with ben franklin, who was known as quite a lively character. Noah webster was struck by the inconsistencies of english spelling and the obstacles it presented to learners young and old alike and resented that american classrooms were filled only with british textbooks. Websters contribution to american constitutionalism. This is the biography of the man who gave americans their most important household book next to the bible. It took him 22 more years to finish his american dictionary of the english language. Noah webster and moving away from british english october 7, 2014 melissa 8 comments eliminating the unnecessary u, many duplicate consonants, the redundant e, converting diphthongs into simple vowels and turning the combination of e and r at the end of a word the right way around, americans significantly changed the spelling of many english words. It is much easier to hear than to remember and practice. Noah webster s diary, april 17, 11767, original in new york public library 3.
Originally published in 1788, this book is considered the second largest selling book of all time after the bible. Webster viewed educationspecifically language and spellingas part of. Noah websters speller offered simple guidelines for spelling and pronouncing american english words. Many people find themselves confused regarding the difference between american and british spellings. Nathan hale was a senior when noahs class entered yale. By 1850 the annual sales of webster s spelling book was about 1,000,000 copies. She argued from the history of reading and the psychology of reading that websters spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling was superior to all other methods. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843, was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author.
Logan state teachers college, harr is burg, virginia in ler s taining that modern of wittiest dictionaries, english and h. Here is a link to a pdf version of dons webster spelling book method for the twentyfirst century. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states. Both his speller and dictionary reflected his principle that spelling, grammar. Best remembered for the dictionary that now bears his name, noah webster played a. Today, noah webster is best known as the author of the american dictionary. Bound in a distinctive blue cover, it earned the nickname the bluebacked speller. Most people called it the bluebacked speller because of its blue cover and, for the next one hundred years, webster s book taught children how to read, spell, and pronounce words.
He was descended from john webster of hartford, who was governor of connecticut in 16561657, and on his mothers side from governor william bradford of plymouth. Webster s dictionary is any of the dictionaries edited by noah webster in the early nineteenth century, and numerous related or unrelated dictionaries that have adopted the webster s name. The first person to write a dictionary of american english and permanently alter the spelling of american english, noah webster through his spelling book taught millions of american children to read for the first halfcentury of the republic and millions more to spell for the following halfcentury. Noah websters obsession and the creation of an american culture, presents a new look at noah websters role in defining. Websters the american spelling book was commonly known as the blue backed speller due to its blue cover, and was one of the most popular spelling books since its first publication in 1783.
American lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. On being american 1967, selections from his writings. Websters innovations, perfecting the spelling book for reading instruction, other works. Noah websters spelling book method for teaching reading. Noah and nathan hale were at yale at the same time. His philosophy was prominent in american education until far into the 19th century. Detail of a lesson from the american spelling book by noah webster. Containing the rudiments of the english language for the use of schools in the united states by noah webster 1999 reprint webster, noah. Noah webster, senior, noahs father, was born in hartford in 1722 and settled early in what was then called the west division of hartford now known as west hartford, and he lived to the ripe old age of 91. Prior to his works coming into wide use in the late 18th century, colonial and.
The 1824 edition has become very popular on the internet. Links to websters speller and other spellers are at don potters spelling book page. How reason and moral purpose made the west great, is a confounding. I always love having an appraiser look at my stuff. A practical dictionary of the english language, giving the correct spelling, pronunciation, and definitions of words. Joshua kendall, author of the forgotten founding father. Most people called it the bluebacked speller because of its blue cover, and for the next one hundred years, webster s book taught children how to read, spell, and pronounce words. This book, first published in 1783, was a very popular textbook for young children in the nineteenth century. Noah webster was born on october 16, 1758, in west hartford, connecticut. Webster was feted as a national treasure, and soon he received an invitation to dine at the white house on 28 december 1830.
I have the original american spelling book from 1783 written. Students who complete websters american spelling book method of teaching read ing and. Sometimes its turned out to be surprisingly valuable. Used by american children as the standard text over the span of nearly a century, this facsimile reproduction of the 1827 edition, complete with. He received a masters degree from yale by giving an oral dissertation to the yale graduating class. Remembered primarily for the american dictionary, webster was also a lawyer, educator, newspaper editor, lexicographer, and etymologist. Webster, noah 17581843 the first person to write a dictionary of american english and permanently alter the spelling of american english, noah webster 1 through his spelling book taught millions of american children to read for the first halfcentury of the republic and millions more to spe. His elementry spelling book helped standardize american spelling. Immediately thereafter he went to work on his magnum opus, an american dictionary of the. This book offered brief definitions of about 37,000 words. Webster was instrumental in giving american english a dignity and vitality of its own.
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