Noah webster s most popular book is american dictionary of the english language. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. Noah webster s influence on american spelling conrad t. Overview originally published in 1788, this book is considered the second largest selling book of all time after the bible. Noah webster cures the blues with a spelling book new england. Noah webster, american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. American lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. Noah webster s fighting words, published april 2017, is a standard biography with a creative twist.
Spelling book definition of spelling book by the free. 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. Noah websters spelling book method for teaching reading and. Try as he might to make some alternate spelling stick, some of webster s.
Noah webster might never have published his bluebacked speller if it werent for setbacks in his career and disappointment in love. Noah webster s 1828 american dictionary of the english language was produced during the years when the american home, church and school were established upon a biblical and patriotic basis. Noah websters 1828 dictionary online home facebook. Noah webster was a journalist, reformer and lexicographer. For more information on this milestone in american reference publishing, please see noah webster s spelling reform and a sample glossary from a compendious dictionary of the english language. Ageappropriate lessons taught schoolchildren to read and write, helping to define and unify american language. He has been called the father of american scholarship and education. Noah websters fighting words by tracy nelson maurer. Oct 07, 2014 noah webster and moving away from british english october 7, 2014 melissa 7 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. Though the book went through hundreds of editions, this replica edition represents the last, greatest, and arguably the most influential one. Noah webster and the dream of a common language now. Value of the bible and excellence of the christian religion.
American dictionary of the english language noah webster. Motivated both by nationalist fervor and a desire to reform spelling, webster proposed numerous spelling changes in his work. Noah webster s 1828 an american dictionary of the english language was the first great dictionary published in north america, and was enormously influential. It sold so well that webster was able to construct his new. Mar 30, 2018 in the century following the revolutionary war, websters american spelling book became so ubiquitous in the newly formed united statesselling an estimated hundred million copiesthat its sales were outpaced only by those of the bible. The earliest american author and the first person to distinguish the fine line between american english and british english, noah webster sought change and taught millions of americans to read and spell. Websters dictionary 1828 websters dictionary 1828 courage. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843, was the author of a famous american dictionary, a pioneer of spelling, and a political writer and editor. Dictionary by noah webster, first edition abebooks. Mar 14, 2014 noah webster s spelling book method for teaching reading and spelling march 14, 2014 announcement i am delighted to announce the publication of noah webster s spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling. There is a free pdf edition available on the spelling book resource page of. Before publication of this book in 1783, many schools used thomas dilworths a new. Noah webster has 336 books on goodreads with 4245 ratings. In his eightyfive years, noahs life is intensely interesting.
The american spelling book by noah webster, hardcover. Compiler of a dictionary which has become the standard for american english. His childrens primer and the beloved dictionary were his true claim to fame, but after reading this book i realized he is much more than just the author of these famous books. Noah webster reforms the teaching of english in the united. Links to websters speller and other spellers are at don potters spelling book page. The american spelling book work by webster britannica. The american spelling book, containing an easy standard of pronunciation. This book, first published in 1783, was a very popular textbook for young children in the nineteenth century.
In noah webster american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. For the use of families and schools by noah webster classic reprint by noah webster jul 23 2012. Webster s great dictionary, all the 70,000 entries of which he wrote with his own hand, has been. Find the elementary spelling book by webster, noah at biblio. Noah webster had a lasting impact on language in the united states. Noah webster biography life, children, death, history. The religion which has introduced civil liberty, is the religion of christ and his apostles, which enjoins humility, piety, and benevolence. 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.
Both his speller and dictionary reflected his principle that spelling, grammar, and usage. Failed attempts to reform english spelling merriamwebster. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states noah webster t. The first person to write a dictionary of american english and. Students who complete webster s american spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling will gain a command english reading, vocabulary, and spelling that is available in no other single book. Download noah webster s the american spelling book for your kindle, tablet, ipad, pc or mobile. This edition of webster s spelling book is a reprint of an 1866 edition, but the type has been enlarged and many portions have been retypeset in modern type. Spelling book synonyms, spelling book pronunciation, spelling book translation, english dictionary definition of spelling book. Don worked several years typing and editing websters 1908 elementary spelling book for use today. Students who complete websters american spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling will gain a command english reading, vocabulary, and spelling that is available in no other single book. Here is a link to a pdf version of dons webster spelling book method for the twentyfirst century. The american spelling book zu einem bestseller mit einer.
Books by noah webster author of american dictionary of the. Noah webster cures the blues with a spelling book new. Noah webster was born october 16, 1758, in new hartford, connecticut, to noah sr. Early life noah webster was born on october 16, 1758, in west hartford, connecticut. Bound in a distinctive blue cover, it earned the nickname the bluebacked speller. Noah websters spelling book method for teaching reading and spelling march 14, 2014 announcement i am delighted to announce the publication of noah websters spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling. Almost all the civil liberty now enjoyed in the world owes its origin to the principles of the christian religion. She argued from the history of reading and the psychology of reading that webster s spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling.
Noah webster 17581843 american, words, dictionary, and books. This is a teacher training video explaining the use of noah webster s syllabary in mr. Webster s 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. Antique elementary spelling book 1839 by noah webster lld stereotyped. A dictionary of the english language by noah webster. Webster s basic textbook, first called the first part of the grammatical institute of the english language and later the american spelling book, became, in 1829, the elementary spelling book. Logan state teachers college, harr is burg, virginia in lers taining that modern of wittiest dictionaries, english and h. Buy american spelling book by noah webster online at alibris. I have a revised edition of the elementary spelling book. The nationalist roots of merriamwebsters dictionary. A grammatical institute of the english language 178385. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states. Websters dictionary 1828 online edition is an excellent reference for classical literature, bible studies, history papers, and the reading of americas national documents.
Noah webster reforms the teaching of english in the united states. The revised edition of the elementary spelling book webster, by noah webster, l. The happy results further motivated me to retype webster s method and re. In 1787 webster changed the books name to the american spelling book. Websters innovations, perfecting the spelling book for reading instruction, other works.
In 1806 webster published a compendious dictionary of the english language, the first truly american dictionary. The american spelling book national museum of american. His bluebacked speller books taught five generations of american children how to spell and read. His solution to his malaise was to write a spelling book. Before publication of this book in 1783, many schools used thomas dilworths a new guide to the english tongue. Before publishing his american dictionary of the english language, he produced a series of spelling books including the one. 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. 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.
Quarto, two volumes, bound in full periodstyle calf, morocco spine label, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panel. Dec 26, 2015 why do americans color but the british colour. Webster made important contributions to an american educational system which kept the nation on a christian constitutional course for many years. An american dictionary of the english language by noah. And henry daggett, noah webster, and simeon baldwin, as aldermen, granting permission to dyer white to erect a house on orange street by webster, noah and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The elementary spelling book by noah webster, circa 1845. Noah webster, first edition abebooks shop for books. Oct 17, 20 5 ways noah webster americanized the english language. Known by its colored cover, webster s bluebacked speller remained popular for more than 100 years. Even with todays spellcheck and online resources, many americans still think webster s when they have a question regarding spelling and word. She argued from the history of reading and the psychology of reading that webster s spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling was superior to all other methods.
In 1783, webster published volume 1 of a grammatical institute of the english language a. Johns hopkins press, 1947, also by william currie page images at hathitrust webster, noah, 17581843. Webster was instrumental in giving american english a dignity and vitality of its own. In june of 2004 miss geraldine rodgers sent me her essay, why noah webster s way was the right way.
The elementary spelling book by webster, noah and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Noah webster, a man who loved words by elaine cunningham. In 1782 he was depressed and uncertain about his prospects. Noah webster and moving away from british english october 7, 2014 melissa 7 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. See all books authored by noah webster, including noah webster s 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. 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. When you buy a 1908 the elementary spelling book by noah webster ll d the national standard shopping online, we make it as easy as possible for you to find out when your 1908 the elementary spelling book by noah webster ll d the national standard best buy will be. He could not have known his cure for the blues would teach generations. Noah webster 17581843, best known for his compilation of the american english dictionary, was also famous in his day for the american spelling book. May 28, 2019 detail of a lesson from the american spelling book by noah webster websters words it was clear that he had a gift for language, so his parents arranged for him to be tutored and in 1774, at the age of 16, he enrolled at yale college. These will typically sell higher in a vintage book store or private sale compared to an auction.
June 10, 2004 it was this essay that motivated me to start teaching webster s spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling. Noah websters most popular book is american dictionary of the english language. Other articles where the american spelling book is discussed. Noah webster webster, noah, 17581843 the online books page. Donald potters noah webster s spelling book method for teaching reading and spelling.
Noah webster and the dream of a common language connecticut. Yet it took some time before webster saw much income from the book s success, and as he floundered for a steady job, borrowing money. This edition of noah webster s the american spelling book was published by holbrook and fessenden of brattleborough now brattleboro, vermont in 1821. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states by. Both his speller and dictionary reflected his principle that spelling, grammar. 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.
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. Noah webster 17581843 was the man of words in early 19thcentury america. Noah webster s speller offered simple guidelines for spelling and pronouncing american english words. The elementary spelling book new edition by noah webster, webster and noah apr 20 2007. Noah websters spelling book method for teaching reading. 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. 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. Books by noah webster author of american dictionary of. The book i read was noah webster, a man who loved words. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. I did not realize how much he contributed to the building of the united states once we gained freedom from england. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer.