"An American Dictionary of the English Language" by Noah Webster, 1828, Volume 2

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THF238949 / "An American Dictionary of the English Language" by Noah Webster, 1828, Volume 2 / front cover
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Artifact Overview

Noah Webster wrote the first dictionary of American English. It was a radical attempt to foster a uniform language for the United States. Webster's first edition in 1828 contained about 70,000 entries -- some 12,000 more than had appeared in earlier vocabulary lists. Webster added many technical and scientific terms, included common Americanisms, and suggested new ways of spelling and pronouncing words.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Dictionary

Date Made

1828

Creators

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Dictionary by Noah Webster; printed by Hezekiah Howe, New Haven, Connecticut; published by S. Converse, New York, New York. Frontispiece engraved by A. B. Durand after a portrait by Samuel Morse; printed by J. R. Burton.

Collection Title

Book Collection

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

38.682.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Boards (Binding components)
Cloth

Technique

Printing (Process)

Dimensions

Height: 12.25 in (Book)
Width: 9.75 in (Book)
Height: 12.875 in (Slipcase)
Width: 10.5 in (Slipcase)

Keywords
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    This is textbook pioneer and spelling reformer Noah Webster's home on its original site in New Haven, Connecticut. Henry Ford admired Webster and recognized his house as an important piece of American history. Ford had the building moved to Greenfield Village - his historical outdoor museum in Dearborn, Michigan. This view documents architectural details, including second floor bay windows not moved with the house.
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