Links to websters speller and other spellers are at don potters spelling book page. 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. While it incorporated material from earlier spellers of british origins, it was the first of the american spellers and was widely imitated and copied. Download noah webster s the american spelling book for your kindle, tablet, ipad, pc or mobile. Noah websters spelling book method for teaching reading. Noah webster books list of books by author noah webster. His solution to his malaise was to write a spelling book. The american spelling book 1809 edition open library. Use noah webster s speller as the basic text and supplement with an english handbook. George and charles merriam owned a printing and bookselling business. Hence, noah websters monumental 1828 american dictionary of the english language is a work of great importance to modern readers who care about traditional values. Three years after its first publication webster changed the title to its current title. 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.
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. 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. Webster put together the dictionary because he wanted americans to have a national identity that wasnt based on the language and ideas of england. You will eliminate the need to buy a multitude of graded workbooks for each of. Noah webster and the dream of a common language connecticut. Use noah websters speller as the basic text and supplement with an english handbook.
He was descended from john webster of hartford, governor of. This edition of noah websters the american spelling book was published by holbrook and fessenden of brattleborough now brattleboro, vermont in 1821. Noah webster 17581843 websters innovations, perfecting. Considered to be the thirdbest selling book of all time in america. Motivated both by nationalist fervor and a desire to reform spelling, webster proposed numerous spelling changes in. In the book noah implemented changes that helped to improve the teaching of pronunciation, spelling and reading. Noah webster cures the blues with a spelling book new.
Apr 14, 2020 from garrison keillors the writers almanac. Webster s innovations, perfecting the spelling book for reading instruction, other works 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. Noah websters speller offered simple guidelines for spelling and pronouncing american english words. In 1782 he was depressed and uncertain about his prospects. Motivated both by nationalist fervor and a desire to reform spelling, webster proposed numerous spelling changes in his work. The elementary spelling book by noah webster, circa 1845. His early success in 1782 with the bluebacked spelling book earned him a steady. This book, first published in 1783, was a very popular textbook for young children in the nineteenth century. Noah webster and the american dictionary david micklethwait. Immediately thereafter he went to work on his magnum opus, an american dictionary of the. Known by its colored cover, websters bluebacked speller remained popular for more than 100 years.
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. American lexicographer and journalist, was born at west hartford, connecticut, on the 16th of october 1758. Don worked several years typing and editing websters 1908 elementary spelling book for use today. 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. The american spelling book work by webster britannica.
Noah websters influence on american spelling conrad t. Yet it took some time before webster saw much income from the books success, and as he floundered for a. Noah webster was a journalist, reformer and lexicographer. Yet it took some time before webster saw much income from the books success, and as he floundered for a steady job, borrowing money.
Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states. Moreover, though he referred to johnsons dictionary of the english language as a barren desart of philology, the american lexicographer relied heavily on the book during the creation of his own american dictionary, going so far as to filch whole sections. American lexicographer noah webster 17581843 was an author whose astonishingly prolific. Books by noah webster author of american dictionary of. It was during this time he authored his first textbook, the american spelling book 1783. Nathan hale was a senior when noahs class entered yale. Containing, the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states classic reprint webster, noah on. A few years after noah webster died, at the age of 86, two brothers gained the rights to the american dictionary. Title page of the first known edition of noah websters speller entitled american spelling book, 1788. Noah webster 17581843 was the man of words in early 19thcentury america.
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. 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. Noah webster s speller offered simple guidelines for spelling and pronouncing american english words. Noah webster 17581843, best known for his compilation of the american english dictionary, was also famous in his day for the american spelling book. Websters innovations, perfecting the spelling book for reading instruction, other works 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. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. Jan 21, 2005 generally credited with distinguishing american spelling and usage from british, webster shunned prescriptive mores and was doggedly loyal to his own language habits, as well as to those of the average american speaker. Your child will compile his own notebook while he learns spelling, handwriting, grammar, and vocabulary. Noah webster might never have published his bluebacked speller if it werent for setbacks in his career and disappointment in love.
October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer. Prior to his works coming into wide use in the late 18th century, colonial and. For over 100 years, websters book taught children to read, spell and pronounce words. Though the book went through hundreds of editions, this replica edition represents the last, greatest, and arguably the most influential one. Websters class of 1778 was a very distinguished one, with noah himself, joel barlow and oliver wolcott. Noah webster 17581843, along with his contemporary ben franklin, advocated simplified spelling, championed american spelling, and added such words as skunk, squash, hickory, lengthy, and chowder to the lexicon. The focus on spelling and syllables 1 has allowed these student to be able to read and spell years above their grade level. Noah webster s the american spelling book webster s speller was first published in 1783 under the title the grammatical institute, part 1. Even with todays spellcheck and online resources, many americans still think websters when they have a question regarding spelling and word definitions. It was the most popular american book of its time, selling nearly 100 million copies. The american spelling book national museum of american history. He could not have known his cure for the blues would teach generations. Noah webster, american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol.
On june 15, 1775 the continental congress appointed george washington commander in chief of the american army, which was laying siege to boston. Noah webster was described by the publisher of a competing dictionary as a vain. 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. Before publication of this book in 1783, many schools used thomas dilworths a new guide to the english tongue. The book covers websters major publications and the influences and methods that shaped them. Noah webster and the american dictionary mcfarland. The american spelling book by noah webster, hardcover. It was on this day in 1828 that noah websters american dictionary of the english language was published books by this author. May 29, 2011 noah webster was a journalist, reformer and lexicographer. Books by noah webster author of american dictionary of the. He has been called the father of american scholarship and education. The american spelling book national museum of american.
Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states by noah webster it was amazing 5. The founding documents of the united states of america are contemporary with this 1828 dictionary, as are many other important books and documents of that time. Noah webster webster, noah, 17581843 the online books. Noah websters spelling book method for teaching reading and. Moreover, though he referred to johnsons dictionary of the english language as a barren desart of philology, the american lexicographer. He was certainly vain and, born in connecticut, undeniably a yankee. In 1789, noah married rebecca greenleaf, the daughter of a rich man from boston.
Ageappropriate lessons taught schoolchildren to read and write, helping to define and unify american language. In june of 2004 miss geraldine rodgers sent me her essay, why noah websters way was the right way. First published in 1783, webster planned to call his speller the american instructor, but the president of yale, ezra stiles, suggested a more grandiose title. Noah websters the american spelling book websters speller was first published in 1783 under the title the grammatical institute, part 1. And few would seem more plodding than webster, who was positively obsessed. The american spelling book, containing an easy standard of. Originally published in 1788, this book is considered the second largest selling book of all time after the bible. The websters lived in new haven, then moved to amherst, ma where noah helped to start amherst college. You will eliminate the need to buy a multitude of graded workbooks for each of these subjects and for each grade level. Pdf noah webster and his words download ebook for free. Websters 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. Known by its colored cover, webster s bluebacked speller remained popular for more than 100 years. Here is a link to a pdf version of dons webster spelling book method for the twentyfirst century. Logan state teachers college, harr is burg, virginia in lers taining that modern of wittiest dictionaries, english and h.
Noah webster, born october 16, 1758, west hartford, connecticut, u. Bound in a distinctive blue cover, it earned the nickname the bluebacked speller. Noah websters 1828 an american dictionary of the english language was the first great dictionary published in north america, and was enormously influential. In 1806 webster published a compendious dictionary of the english language, the first truly american dictionary. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843, was a lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. A practical dictionary of the english language, giving the correct spelling, pronunciation, and definitions of words.
For 100 years, noahs book taught children how to read, spell, and pronounce words. Even with todays spellcheck and online resources, many americans still think websters when they have a question regarding spelling and. The american spelling booknoah websterfree downloadpdf. Noah webster webster, noah, 17581843 the online books page. Webster was instrumental in giving american english a dignity and vitality of its own. In noah webster american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. October 16 anniversary of the birth of noah webster from the article by steve t. Intended for children, websters socalled blue back speller offered clear instructions and exercises to help students understand the fundamentals of english, including pronunciation, comprehension, and spelling, mostly by reading a series of. 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.
Description this edition of noah websters the american spelling book was published by holbrook and fessenden of brattleborough now brattleboro, vermont in 1821. 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. Websters 1828 american dictionary of the english language. It sold so well that webster was able to construct his new haven, connecticut. Used by american children as the standard text over the span of nearly a century, this facsimile reproduction of the 1827 edition, complete with. Image search spelling granger historical picture archive. Containing, the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states classic reprint. Failed attempts to reform english spelling merriamwebster. With its distinctive blue cover, it earned the nickname the bluebacked speller and was used over the span of nearly a century. 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. Noah webster s 1828 an american dictionary of the english language was the first great dictionary published in north america, and was enormously influential.
468 957 221 761 860 523 1613 1023 39 1519 655 1564 601 616 574 1465 833 1072 150 1379 788 674 737 487 279 24 1284 565 257 1604 1066 345 1157 238 35 1638 1183 81 755 505 605 1394 892 572 1355