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. Fourth edition, revised by the author

Johnson, Samuel, Dr

Published by for W. Strahan [et al.], London, 1773

About this Item

2 volumes, large folio, pp. [56] plus unpaginated lexicon in double column; [2] plus unpaginated lexicon; titles printed in red and black, collated complete; title in volume I neatly remargined, first 3 leaves in volume II supplied from another copy; contemporary full calf rebacked with old spines laid down and with neat repairs at spine ends; in all, a good, sound copy. Textually, the best edition of Johnson's magnum opus. The fourth edition ranks next to the first edition of 1755 in both importance and interest, representing the author's final and only substantially corrected text, and including his page-long advertisement to it ("Many faults I have corrected, some superfluities I have taken away, and some deficiencies I have supplied."). "Significant numbers of new illustrative texts were incorporated, while many others were dropped and replaced. [He] often flooded existing entries with new illustrations, sometimes accompanied by additional definitions or other material, thus altering the reading of the entry as a whole. Many of the new sources from which he borrowed were theological writers, and the cumulative effect of the new quotations and their accompanying definitions or notes on usage is to draw attention to a broader theological sense of the word in question. [This edition shows for example Johnson's mature appreciation for Milton's work and includes many more examples of his writing]. Johnson revised no other work as extensively or after such a long period of time had elapsed - he was thirty-seven when he signed the original contract with the booksellers for the Dictionary, almost sixty-three when he began the great revision; the scrutiny of his own work and accomplishments entailed in the effort, therefore, is unlike anything else to be found in Johnson's canon" (Allen Reddick, The Making of Johnson's Dictionary 1746-1773, pp. 89-92). Courtney & Smith p. 55; Fleeman 55.4D-4a; PMM 201(citing the first edition of 1755); Sledd & Kolb, pp. 114-126.

Seller Inventory # 60878

Bibliographic Details

• Title: 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. Fourth edition, revised by the author
• Publisher: for W. Strahan [et al.], London
• Publication Date: 1773
• Seller catalogs:
  • Dictionaries
  • Language