A New Dictionary of the English Language: containing, not only the explanation of words, with their orthography, etymology, and idiomatical use in writing. To which is prefixed a rhetorical grammar.

KENRICK, William.

Published by Printed for John and Francis Rivington, William Johnson, Thomas Longman, and Thomas Cadell. 1773, 1773

About this Item

[8],viii, 57, [1], [724]pp. 4to. A few small tears to fore-edge of titlepage with further small tear to lower corners of first four leaves, some inoffensive damp marking to some lower corners. Overall a nice clean copy. Handsomely bound with new endpapers in recent half speckled calf, raised band, compartments lined in gilt, brown morocco label. Numerous stamps of the American Institute with additional small printed label loosely inserted. Alston V 283; ESTC T114319. The sole edition. William Kenrick, 1725?-1779, is described in the ODNB as a 'superlative scoundrel'. A versatile hack writer, he appears to have fallen out with and libelled almost every person who crossed his path. 'He had a strong love of notoriety, a jealous and peverse temper, and was often drunk and violent. He became the enemy of every decent and successful person, and so notorious as a libeller that few condescended to answer him'. Following attacks on Jonn Hill, Robert Dodsley, and Oliver Goldsmith, Kenrick turned his attention to Samuel Johnson who he attacked without restraint. Although never published, he had threatened to publish a parody of Johnson's Dictionary entitled A Ramble Through the Idler's Dictionary: in which are picked up several thousand etymological, orthographical, and lexicographical blunders.

Seller Inventory # 80095

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A New Dictionary of the English Language: containing, not only the explanation of words, with their orthography, etymology, and idiomatical use in writing. To which is prefixed a rhetorical grammar.
• Publisher: Printed for John and Francis Rivington, William Johnson, Thomas Longman, and Thomas Cadell. 1773
• Publication Date: 1773
• Binding: Hardcover