His book contained seventy thousand words, of which twelve thousand had never appeared in a published dictionary before. Noah webster 17581843, best known for his compilation of the american english dictionary, was also famous in his day for the american spelling book. An overnight sensation, websters guide to spelling soon replaced its predecessor dilworths abyselpha and. American dictionary of the english language, illustrated by noah webster, is an educational and very informative work of art.
Links to websters speller and other spellers are at don potters spelling book page. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states by noah webster it was amazing 5. Merriam webster is the most reliable, trusted, easytouse dictionary and thesaurus online. Being an improvement on the american spelling book noah webster full view 1846. Being an improvement on the american spelling book. 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. Noah webster webster, noah, 17581843 the online books. Noah webster might never have published his bluebacked speller if it werent for setbacks in his career and disappointment in love. Being an abridgment of the improved grammar of the english language.
October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843, was the author of a famous american dictionary, a pioneer of spelling, and a political writer and editor. Books by noah webster author of american dictionary of. Books by noah webster author of american dictionary of the. Noah webster 17581843 was the man of words in early 19thcentury america.
Find the elementary spellingbook, being an improvement on the american spelling book by webster, noah at biblio. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states noah webster t. Don worked several years typing and editing websters 1908 elementary spelling book for use today. Webster believed that the fledgling country needed its own textbooks and a codified language around which to unite. Originally published in 1788, this book is considered the second largest selling book of all time after the bible. 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. He could not have known his cure for the blues would teach generations. There is a previous owners name on the front free end paper dated 1897. The american spelling book by noah webster, hardcover. In noah webster american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. With its distinctive blue cover, it earned the nickname the bluebacked speller and was used. His solution to his malaise was to write a spelling book. An important part of the method webster taught for spelling was to divide a word into its sounds, or syllables. Being an improvement on the american spellingbook noah webster full view 1908.
His american spelling book first published in 1783, his a philosophical and practical grammar of english language first published in 1784, and reader published in 1785 were a result of his dissatisfaction with the school textbooks which at that time were primarily obtained from england. For over a century this book has provided america with a standardize system of spelling, grammar and word usage. 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. Noah webster books list of books by author noah webster. Webster was a true american before there was even a usa. Both his speller and dictionary reflected his principle that spelling, grammar. So, the same year the american revolution ended, he published a grammatical institute of the english language, and his spelling book became americas first bestseller. The webster spelling book, commonly called the bluebacked speller, was originally published in 1788, revised as the american spelling book in 1829, and revised by webster again in 1841 as the elementary spelling book. 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. Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail.
The american spelling book work by webster britannica. Noah webster cures the blues with a spelling book new. 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. 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. The american spelling book 1809 edition open library.
The american spelling book national museum of american. It sold so well that webster was able to construct his new haven, connecticut. The elementary spelling book by webster, noah and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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 webster simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The elementary spellingbook, being an improvement on the. For over 150 years, merriam webster has been americas leading and mosttrusted provider of language information. Considered to be the thirdbest selling book of all time in america. The overall value of american dictionary of the english language is greater than any amount of money that you could release from yourself to purchase a copy of the divine illustration. Prior to his works coming into wide use in the late 18th century, colonial and. Spelling book definition of spelling book by merriamwebster. 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.
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. In june of 2004 miss geraldine rodgers sent me her essay, why noah webster s way was the right way. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer. Spelling book definition is a book with exercises for teaching how to spell. American dictionary of the english language noah webster. But as david micklethwait reveals in noah webster and the american dictionary mcfarland, 2005, lexicography wasnt websters only great passion, and the dictionary wasnt even his bestselling book.
Very worn webster spelling book in original binding, blue paper covered wooden boards with leather spine, 168 pages. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843, was a lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling. Webster also believed in simplifying spelling, so that words would be spelled the way they sounded. Born a farmers son in what is now west hartford, connecticut, webster attended yale college. Noah websters fighting words by tracy maurer, hardcover. Containing, the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states classic reprint webster, noah on.
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. He has been called the father of american scholarship and education. Noah websters spelling book method for teaching reading and. By an early biographer it is related how a little palefaced man came into a printing office with a slip of paper. In 1782 he was depressed and uncertain about his prospects. Our products also include bilingual dictionaries and the official scrabble dictionary. On being american 1967, selections from his writings. Noah webster, born october 16, 1758, west hartford, connecticut, u. Noah webster, american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. He is often called the father of american scholarship and education.
His dictionary was first published in 1828 as an american dictionary of the english language. June 10, 2004 it was this essay that motivated me to start teaching webster s spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling. Noah webster 17581843 american, dictionary, words, and books. One of websters most important and lasting contributions to american english was to change, for the better, the spellings of certain groups of words from their. Ageappropriate lessons taught schoolchildren to read and write, helping to define and unify american language. Known by its colored cover, webster s bluebacked speller remained popular for more than 100 years. A grammatical institute of the english language 178385. The webster spelling book, commonly called the bluebacked speller, was originally published in 1788, revised as the american spelling book in 1829, and revised by. In 1787 webster changed the books name to the american spelling book. Rights advisory no known restrictions on publication. May 28, 2019 in 1783, webster published volume 1 of a grammatical institute of the english language a. Used by american children as the standard text over the span of nearly a century, this facsimile reproduction of the 1827 edition, complete with.
This book, first published in 1783, was a very popular textbook for young children. Noah webster webster, noah, 17581843 the online books page. The american spelling book, containing an easy standard of. Noah webster strongly believed in developing the cultural independence of the united states, a chief component of which was to be a distinctive american language with its own idiom, pronunciation, and style. Noah websters spelling book method for teaching reading.
An important part of the method webster taught for spelling was to divide a word into. More information about this seller contact this seller 4. Noah webster was a very learned and devout man, and his ideas about language in his long. Dec 26, 2015 in 1787 webster changed the books name to the american spelling book. Noah webster and the dream of a common language connecticut. At a time when many of the powerful people in the country had still been born in england, he was born in. Born in west hartford, connecticut on october 16, 1758, noah webster is best known today for his magnum opus, an american dictionary of the english language 1828.
His bluebacked speller books taught five generations of american children how to spell and read, secularizing their education. 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. As a spelling reformer, webster believed that english spelling rules were unnecessarily complex, so his dictionary introduced american english spellings, replacing colour with color, substituting wagon for waggon, and. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. With its distinctive blue cover, it earned the nickname the bluebacked speller and was used over the span of nearly a century. Dictionary by noah webster, first edition abebooks. This book, first published in 1783, was a very popular textbook for young children in the nineteenth century. Here is a link to a pdf version of dons webster spelling book method for the twentyfirst century.
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. Used by american children as the standard text over the span of nearly. Noah webster s speller offered simple guidelines for spelling and pronouncing american english words. The pages are lightly tanned but otherwise this copy is clean and sound. The elementary spelling book by noah webster, circa 1845. Noah webster 1758 1843, was a lexicographer and a language reformer. Containing, the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states the sales of the american spelling book, since its first publi cation, amount to more than two 1111410115 of copies, and they are annually 1nc1easing. The elementary spelling book being an improvement on the american spelling book webster, noah, ll. He transformed this scholarly treatise into a practical work later that same year with the first edition of his american spelling book. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. His bluebacked speller books taught five generations of american children how to spell and read.
Bound in a distinctive blue cover, it earned the nickname the bluebacked speller. Before publication of this book in 1783, many schools used thomas dilworths a new guide to the english tongue. The front end paper is splitting across the hinge which is still firm. Other articles where the american spelling book is discussed. Noah websters speller offered simple guidelines for spelling and pronouncing american english words. American spelling book, by noah webster, philadelphia, 1804 created published 1804. Webster was instrumental in giving american english a dignity and vitality of its own. American lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. In his lifetime he was also a lawyer, schoolmaster, author, newspaper editor and an outspoken politician.
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