As he taught, he came to realize that there were some major problems with the way english was taught in the american schools. 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. Dec 07, 2011 noah webster wrote his infamous bluebacked speller in 1783. He went to yale and was the only one of the websters five children to go past grammar school. More information about this seller contact this seller 19. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook. At twentyfour, he composed what would become the bestselling secular book of the nineteenth century. 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. The american spelling book by noah webster the original in the public domain for those interested.
Compiler of a dictionary which has become the standard for american english. At the end of the revolutionary war, noah webster saw a need for consistency in language throughout the united states. Oct 16, 2006 todays lesson looks at the man who wrote the book on american english. N oah webster 17581843 is one of the myriad of men and women of excellent moral character and wisdom that america has produced, and this amazing harvest is the result of the bible and its great influence in american society. Noah webster 17581843 american, books, words, and dictionary. Jan 15, 2015 noah webster thought american english should be free of the clamor of pedantry. Noah websters advice to the young and moral catechism by noah webster. Here is a link to a pdf version of dons webster spelling book method for the twentyfirst century. 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. The american spelling book work by webster britannica. The elementary spelling book is an ideal tool for home education, personal tutoring, private schools, or just to supplement public education. The elementary spelling book by noah webster and a great selection of related books. The first american ship to circumnavigate the globe was the. Study 104 terms history chapter 79 flashcards quizlet.
This biography tells the story of how noah came to write the first dictionary. Sold by all the principal booksellers throughout the united states of america and its territories. 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. 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. 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.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Webster, noah article about webster, noah by the free. Noah webster, american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. The elementary spelling book by noah webster, circa 1845. American english began to deviate from british english as soon as the united states won its independence from great britain. His first dictionary, a compendious dictionary of the english language, appeared in 1806. 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. Known by its colored cover, websters bluebacked speller remained popular for more than 100 years. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843, was the author of a famous american dictionary, a pioneer of spelling, and a political writer and editor. The american spelling book, containing an easy standard of. Apr 07, 2020 noah websters reading handbook the paperback.
In noah webster american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. Noah webster defined spellingbook as a book for teaching children to spell and read in his 1828 dictionary. This edition of websters spelling book is a reprint of an 1866 edition, but the type has been enlarged. Noah webster american dictionary language, sample of essays. He was staunchly antibritish and considered the new american nation to be morally superior to europe. Free noah webster study and printables for your homeschool. 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. Finally, it served to standardize spelling throughout the new nation with a distinctive american twist. The first part, often revised, was his famous elementary spelling book, or bluebacked speller, with which he helped to standardize american spelling.
Noah webster webster, noah, 17581843 the online books. Geraldine rodgers believes that noah websters speller, the american spelling book, was the first use of synthetic phonics, which she calls pascal phonics, and said. Without the contributions of noah webster, the american language might look very different than it does today. Have you ever read an amazing book and did not solve the mystery itself. I found noah webster and his words by jeri chase ferris through the golden kite award website as it won the golden kite award for nonfiction in 2012. Ageappropriate lessons taught schoolchildren to read and write, helping to define and unify american language. The elementary spelling book by noah webster published later and also in the public domain, this was an improvement on the american spelling book. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states. Read this book to find out how he achieved his goal of uniting many languages and spelling variations into one language.
While working on a second volume of his dictionary, webster died in 1843, and the rights to the dictionary were acquired by. Noah websters speller offered simple guidelines for spelling and pronouncing american 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. In his eightyfive years, noahs life is intensely interesting. If noah webster were alive today, he would be most passionate about the topic of education for all boys and men. Apr 17, 2012 since the book was successful in establishing its authority throughout the states, websters spelling variants have been generally recognized as american forms, scragg writes. Being an improvement on the american spelling book by noah. Jul 22, 2019 noah webster 17581843 was variously called schoolmaster to the nation, the father of american scholarship and education, and the forgotten founding father. The american spelling book national museum of american. 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. Noah webster 17581843, the author of the readers and spelling books that dominated the american market at the time, spent decades of research in compiling his dictionaries. His american spelling book was first written in 1780 when he taught in new york. Noah webster biography life, children, death, history.
Noah webster, american lexicographer one who compiles a dictionary, remembered now almost solely as the compiler of a continuously successful dictionary, was for half a century among the more influential and most active literary men in the united states. Sentimental and humourous essays, conducive to economy and happiness. Johns hopkins press, 1947, also by william currie page images at hathitrust webster, noah, 17581843. Unger has done a fine job reintroducing him to a new generation of americans. An exceptional example, most rare without any restoration.
Noah webster books list of books by author noah webster. This edition of noah webster s the american spelling book was published by holbrook and fessenden of brattleborough now brattleboro, vermont in 1821. If so, then you can work on critical and analytical thinking, observe all the data provided and sort it out to determine anything. Even with todays spell check and online resources, many americans still think webster s when they have a question regarding spelling and word definitions.
In june of 2004 miss geraldine rodgers sent me her essay, why noah websters way was the right way. 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. Prior to his works coming into wide use in the late 18th century, colonial and. Down to 1889, 62,000,000 copies of the book had been sold. In it, he popularized features which would become a hallmark of. His dictionary was first published in 1828 as an american dictionary of the english language. Most rare and desirable bound in contemporary calf. To learn more about noah webster, check out the resources below.
On being american 1967, selections from his writings. This book tells the story of noah webster, the author of americas first dictionary. How to use noah websters reading handbook diy homeschooler. To diffuse an uniformity and purity of language in america, to destroy the provincial prejudices. If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller. American pronunciation according to noah webster 1783 makes the reader have stronger analytical thinking skills. Noah websters american revolution in language the san. His bluebacked speller books taught five generations of american children how to spell and read. The elementary spelling book by noah webster and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Before publication of this book in 1783, many schools used thomas dilworths a new guide to the english tongue. Noah webster himself explains this in his 1828 american dictionary of the english language. The first part was a spelling book that webster designed.
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. He also reversed the last two letters in words such as centre and theatre, and he americanized the spelling of words. Washington times noah webster the life and times of an american patriot more than a lexicographer, webster was a teacher, philosopher, author, essayist, orator, political leader, public official, and crusading editor. 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. Noah webster the first american ship to circumnavigate the globe was the. Noah websters conservative radicalism the myth of the american spelling book the name of noah webster has long carried an unusual weight of authority in american culture, of which one symptom is the tendency for any dictionary not to seu in the states unless that name is. Drawn from common sayings and subjects, which are full of common sense, the best sense in the world. Links to websters speller and other spellers are at don potters spelling book page. Websters dictionary project gutenberg selfpublishing. The title of his primer is actually the elementary spelling book which is affectionately spoken of as the bluebacked speller. Noah webster 17581843 was the man of words in early 19thcentury america. In this book, the author shows how noah webster collected words, definitions, and origins throughout his life in an effort to make a standardized american version of the english language with practical spellings. Noah webster had a lasting impact on language in the united states. The american spelling book 1809 edition open library.
Don worked several years typing and editing websters 1908 elementary spelling book for use today. This book, first published in 1783, was a very popular textbook for young children in the nineteenth century. An american dictionary of the english language 1848 edition online. Webster was instrumental in giving american english a dignity and vitality of its own. Buy american spelling book by noah webster online at alibris. Noah websters american revolution language magazine. Spelling books in the 1700s and early 1800s were used for both phonics and spelling purposes, and were used to teach children to read. Sep 14, 2010 as the dissimulative purveyors of multilingualism divide the nation culturally under the banner of individual liberty, they will all but surely divide the nation politically and provoke anarchy, as their predecessors have done throughout history harlow unger, noah webster. Webster and american nationalism the washington post. This meant that the peopleatlarge must control the language. Noah webster, best known for his dictionary, also was a keen advocate of american nationalism. The nationalist roots of merriamwebsters dictionary. Noah webster 17581843, best known for his compilation of the american english dictionary, was also famous in his day for the american spelling book. Pioneer families on the frontiers taught their children to read from it.
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. It sold so well that webster was able to construct his new haven, connecticut. 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 backed speller. The son of a dairy farmer, he graduated from yale college in 1778 and served under his father as a private in the american revolution. In 1806 webster published a compendious dictionary of the english language, the first truly american dictionary. He socialized with ben franklin, who was known as quite a lively character. Noah webster wrote in the preface of his 1828 dictionary. An important part of the method webster taught for spelling was to divide a word into its sounds, or syllables. Todays lesson looks at the man who wrote the book on american english. Noah webster s conservative radicalism the myth of the american spelling book the name of noah webster has long carried an unusual weight of authority in american culture, of which one symptom is the tendency for any dictionary not to seu in the states unless that name is on the cover. Books by noah webster author of american dictionary of.
In 1787 webster changed the books name to the american spelling book. Why americans and brits spell words differently vox. The brainchild of noah webster, the differences in spelling between the two dialects are essentially based upon benjamin franklins idea that people spell best who do not know how to spell, meaning the more. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states by. Noah webster was in the sixth generation of his family in america. Noah webster was a connecticut writer and educator whose greatest achievement was an american dictionary of the english language, first published in 1828. Noah websters spelling book method for teaching reading. The dictionary is still being used everyday by almost everybody, the creation helped to standardize the american language in terms of spelling and pronunciation. Before publishing his american dictionary of the english language, he produced a series of spelling books including the one. 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. Webster was a teacher, founder of several schools, education reformer, political activist, lawyer, judge, founder of two newspapers and a magazine, and author of. 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. 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.
Webster graduated from yale in 1778, during the american revolutionary war. I hope youll take the time on this day or any other day to teach your students about noah webster and the power of words. Noah websters american dictionary of the english language. Defining america against noah webster, 17831810 tim cassedy n oah webster was a commercially successful writer twice during his lifetime. In 1807 webster began compiling a fully comprehensive dictionary, an american dictionary of the english language. Noah webster article about noah webster by the free dictionary. Noah webster article about noah webster by the free.
American dictionary of the english language by webster, noah. Immediately thereafter he went to work on his magnum opus, an american dictionary of the. American periodicals devoted hundreds of thousands of words in the 1790s and 1800s to declaring their. The elementary spelling book, being an improvement on the. Noah websters dictionary is an indispensable tool for success in your academic career and beyond. Why do brits and americans spell words differently. The american spelling book by noah webster, hardcover. Taking over two decades to complete, webster s dictionary provided over 30,000 new definitions, standardized spelling and gave american english its identity. Noah webster noah webster, familiar to most americans as the writer of the first american dictionary, worked as a schoolteacher in the late eighteenth century. Noah webster 17581843 websters innovations, perfecting. The elementary spelling book, being an improvement on the american spellingbook. Early life noah webster was born on october 16, 1758, in west hartford, connecticut. Noah and nathan hale were at yale at the same time.