Webster Codifies American English: A Dictionary Born
Noah Webster received copyright protection for his American Dictionary of the English Language on April 14, 1828, after spending 26 years compiling 70,000 entries, 12,000 more than any previous English dictionary. Webster learned 26 languages to trace word etymologies. His dictionary deliberately standardized American spellings distinct from British English: "color" instead of "colour," "center" instead of "centre," "defense" instead of "defence." He believed an independent nation needed its own language. The first edition sold 2,500 copies at $20 each, roughly $600 in today's money. Webster mortgaged his home to finance the second edition. The Merriam brothers purchased the rights after his death in 1843, and Merriam-Webster remains the standard American dictionary.
April 14, 1828
198 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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