American spelling book noah webster

Noah webster library 20 south main street west hartford, ct 06107. 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. 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. The title page of the first edition of the third part of websters grammatical institute. This edition of noah webster s the american spelling book was published by holbrook and fessenden of brattleborough now brattleboro, vermont in 1821. The american spelling book by noah webster 1822 hardcover etsy. October 16 anniversary of the birth of noah webster from the article by steve t. The american spelling book the 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding recordkeeping made possible by advances in the printing press.

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. American spelling book 9781557094698 by webster, noah and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Definition from webster s 1828 american dictionary of the english language. Known by its colored cover, webster s bluebacked speller remained popular for more than 100 years. His first dictionary, a compendious dictionary of the english language, appeared in 1806. Originally published in 1788, this book is considered the second largest selling book of all time after the bible. Spelling books in the 1700s and early 1800s were used for both phonics and spelling purposes, and were used to teach children to read. Noah webster 17581843 american, words, dictionary, and books. Containing, the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states classic reprint webster, noah. Most people called it the bluebacked speller because of its blue cover and, for the next one hundred years, webster s book taught children how to read, spell, and pronounce words. Noah webster 17581843 was the man of words in early 19thcentury america. The american spelling book, containing an easy standard of pronunciation. View larger image american spelling book webster, noah. American spelling book, by noah webster, philadelphia, 1804 created published 1804.

He has been called the father of american scholarship and education. Though the remaining two volumes, a grammar book and a reader, were less popular, webster is still remembered in education today for the speller, which was officially named the american spelling book. Size 6 x 4 x 1 a spelling text book for use in american schools by the famous noah webster. In it, he popularized features which would become a hallmark of. Noah websters influence on american spelling jstor. Over the course of 385 editions in his lifetime, the title was changed in 1786 to the american spelling book, and again in 1829 to the elementary spelling book. Used by american children as the standard text over the span of nearly a century, this facsimile reproduction of the 1827 edition, complete with traditional blue binding, recaptures school days. The american spelling book, containing the rudiments of the english language. Webster s 19 19 webster s revised unabridged dictionary epwing. For the use of schools in the united states boston.

Two more dictionaries and another spelling book, 1829 199 15. In noah webster american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english language, 2 vol. In the 1822 edition of his american spelling book, webster informs us, in ninetenths of the words in our language, a correct pronunciation is better taught by a natural division of the syllables and a direction for placing the ac cent, than by a minute and endless repetition of characters. 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. October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. 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. It was then that he realized that american education system was too dependent on england and english books, and needed to be updated. Noah websters speller offered simple guidelines for spelling and pronouncing american english words. June 10, 2004 it was this essay that motivated me to start teaching webster s spelling book method of teaching reading and spelling. Dec 25, 2016 i have the original american spelling book from 1783 written by noah webster. Being an improvement on the american spelling book by noah webster online at alibris. Down to 1889, 62,000,000 copies of the book had been sold. Noah was one of five children and grew up on his fathers farm. In 1824, with his son william to aid him, he voyaged to europe to complete it.

October 16, 1758 may 28, 1843 was an american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, englishlanguage spelling reformer, political writer. The elementary spelling book 1908 nice frontispiece. The speller was followed by a book on grammar in 1784 and a reader in 1785. Ageappropriate lessons taught schoolchildren to read. An american dictionary of the english language, 1828 171 14. Early edition of webster s american spelling book, responsible for the standardization of spelling in the united states. Buy american spelling book by noah webster online at alibris. An overnight sensation, webster s guide to spelling soon replaced its predecessor dilworths abyselpha and remained popular for the next 100 years although in 1829, the name changed to webster s. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, gale initiated a revolution of its own. 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. Noah webster, born october 16, 1758, west hartford, connecticut, u. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the american spelling book. Part 1 1788 the american spellingbook containing an easy standard of pronunciation. Originally published in 1788, it was the standard text for over a century.

His early success in 1782 with the bluebacked spelling book earned him a steady. Potter finished typing noah webster s the american spelling book, except for personal and place names, on february 19, 2007. The american spelling book by noah webster 1822 hardcover. Noah webster s spelling book method for teaching reading and spelling. The american spellingbook 1792 edition open library.

I always love having an appraiser look at my stuff. Before publication of this book in 1783, many schools used thomas dilworths a new guide to the english tongue. He came to dislike these schools due to their being overcrowded, poorly staffed, and poorly equipped. Bound in a distinctive blue cover, it earned the nickname the bluebacked speller.

Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the. Noah webster reforms the teaching of english in the united states. Noah webster was born in connecticut in 1758 and came of age during the american revolution. The american spelling book this work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

The american spelling book, containing an easy standard of. The american spelling book national museum of american history. Noah webster cures the blues with a spelling book new. 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. His early success in 1782 with the bluebacked spelling book earned. Noah webster and changes to the english language owl editing. The american spelling book national museum of american. Though the book went through hundreds of editions, this replica edition represents the last, greatest, and arguably the most influential one. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states by noah webster it was amazing 5.

Bound in a distinctive blue cover, it earned the nickname the bluebacked. As pictured, some of the pages at the beginning have holes and the writing is fading slightly, but is overall in great condition for an almost 200 year old book. Book printed material the american spelling book, containing an easy standard of pronunciation. The american spelling book work by webster britannica. Reading this facsimile reproduction of the 1824 editionfeaturing original typeface and languagerequires perseverance, but the reward is a deeper appreciation of days gone by.

This chapter examines noah websters project to standardize speech. Noah webster 17581843 websters innovations, perfecting. His american spelling book first published in 1783. Noah webster himself explains this in his 1828 american dictionary of the english language. Noah webster and the dream of a common language connecticut. Books by noah webster author of american dictionary of the. The american spelling book by noah webster, hardcover. Containing an easy standard of pronunciation by noah webster. Noah webster webster, noah, 17581843 the online books page. Noah webster and the american dictionary mcfarland. He went to yale from 1774 to 1778, and became a teacher. Containing, the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states classic reprint webster, noah on. The american spelling book 1809 edition open library.

Generations of american school children learned spelling and language using this tiny tome by noah webster. Noah webster the gutenberg webster s unabridged dictionary. Prior to his works coming into wide use in the late 18th century, colonial and american students learned from primers imported from england. This book, first published in 1783, was a very popular textbook for young children in the nineteenth century.

Find the american spelling book by webster, noah at biblio. Noah webster webster, noah, 17581843 the online books. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states ontario textbook collection. While it may be inappropriate to resurrect it as an official school text, it certainly has a place in every school library. Being the first part of a grammatical institute of the english language. Noah webster new haven, connecticut, american lexicographer known for his american spelling book 1783 and his american dictionary of the english. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. This speller, known as the bluebacked speller because of its blue binding, became widely used in american schools for a long time. Noah webster s speller offered simple guidelines for spelling and pronouncing american english words. Titled an american dictionary of the english language, it was published in new york. Noah webster graduated from yale college in 1778, at age 20, and commenced teaching in several small american schools. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. American spelling book noah webster bauman rare books. Containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states ebook written by noah webster.

Both his speller and dictionary reflected his principle that spelling, grammar, and usage. Oct 07, 2014 he transformed this scholarly treatise into a practical work later that same year with the first edition of his american spelling book. This edition of noah websters the american spelling book was published by holbrook and fessenden of brattleborough now brattleboro, vermont. 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. Noah webster ardently supported the american revolution, though it disrupted his studies and kept him from the law. Ageappropriate lessons taught schoolchildren to read and write, helping to define and unify american language. In 1783 american lexicographer, textbook pioneer, english spelling reformer. It sold so well that webster was able to construct his new haven, connecticut. Webster was instrumental in giving american english a dignity and vitality of its own. Webster, noah the american spelling book, containing. Potter this edition of the american spelling book was published in 1824 by holbrook and fessenden of brattleborogh, vermont.

Noah webster s american dictionary of the english language. Sometimes its turned out to be surprisingly valuable. Dec 01, 2020 the american spelling book containing the rudiments of the english language, for the use of schools in the united states. Noah webster 17581843, best known for his compilation of the american english dictionary, was also famous in his day for the american spelling book. 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.