Noah Webster (1758–1843) was an American lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English-language spelling reformer, and political writer. He was called the “Father of American Scholarship and Education.” His “Blue-backed Speller” books taught five generations of American children how to spell and read. His American Dictionary of the English Language (1828) was the first dictionary to give comprehensive coverage of American usage.
Born in West Hartford, Connecticut, Webster graduated from Yale and, after a spell as a teacher and clerk, was admitted to the Bar in 1781. He soon resumed teaching and published the first part of A Grammatical Institute of the English Language (1783; later known as ‘Webster’s Spelling Book,’) which became very popular. Total sales have been estimated as high as 100,000,000 copies or more.
Webster later published A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language (1806) and English Grammar (1807) and the American Dictionary of the English Language (2 vols., 1828,) now Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language.
Webster was a fervent nationalist. His vision informed his efforts to standardize the American spelling and grammar of America distinct from Britain by historical destiny.
Literary historian Harry R Warfel wrote the biography Noah Webster: Schoolmaster to America (1936.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Noah Webster
The fourteenth of February is a day sacred to St. Valentine! It was a very odd notion, alluded to by Shakespeare, that on this day birds begin to couple; hence, perhaps, arose the custom of sending on this day letters containing professions of love and affection.
—Noah Webster
Language is not an abstract construction of the learned, or of dictionary makers, but is something arising out of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes, of long generations of humanity, and has its bases broad and low, close to the ground.
—Noah Webster
Topics: Language, Words
The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scripture ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.
—Noah Webster
Language as well as the faculty of speech, was the immediate gift of God.
—Noah Webster
Topics: Language
Another source of power in government is a military force. But this, to be efficient, must be superior to any force that exists among the people, or which they can command; for otherwise this force would be annihilated, on the first exercise of acts of oppression. Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealous will instantly inspire the inclination to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive…
—Noah Webster
Topics: The Military
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