Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language: in which the words are deduced from their originals ... to which are prefixed, a history of the language, and an English grammar. 2 vols. London: Printed by W. Strahan, for J. and P. Knapton [et al.], 1755.
![Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language: in which the words are deduced from their originals ... to which are prefixed, a history of the language, and an English grammar. 2 vols. London: Printed by W. Strahan, for J. and P. Knapton [et al.], 1755.](https://sca.bowdoin.edu/50-books/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/nggallery/50-books/johnsonmini2.jpg "Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language: in which the words are deduced from their originals ... to which are prefixed, a history of the language, and an English grammar. 2 vols. London: Printed by W. Strahan, for J. and P. Knapton [et al.], 1755.")
While not the earliest English dictionary to appear in print, Johnson's was the first to quote passages to show how words were used. The linguistic rigor and exhaustive, systematic scheme that Johnson applied resulted in an enormously influential work-so influential, in fact, that it remained the standard English dictionary for 150 years until the Oxford English Dictionary superseded it. Johnson drew his examples from what he deemed to be the best writers (Dryden and Shakespeare, for example), and by privileging words and usage in his dictionary, he contributed enormously to standardizing the language and promoting public literacy.
Gift: E. Parmalee Prentice.
Also shown is The Smallest English Dictionary in the World ... (Glasgow: David Bryce & Son, [ca. 1890]), a novelty miniature book, issued in a locket that incorporates a magnifying glass into the case lid, which pays homage to Johnson by presenting his portrait as the frontispiece and stamping 'Johnson's Dictionary' on the spine.