Dictionary Johnson

Photograph

Samuel Johnson. A Short Scheme for Compiling a New Dictionary of the English Language. 1746. Manuscript. MS Hyde 50 (38)

Photograph

Samuel Johnson. The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language. Transcript in a scribal hand, with authorial corrections, 1746 or 1747. Manuscript. MS Hyde 50 (39)

 Photograph

Samuel Johnson. The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language. London: J. and P. Knapton...[et al.], 1747. *2003J-SJ81

In 1746, a consortium of London publishers led by Robert Dodsley, recognizing a sizable market for a comprehensive dictionary of English, approached Johnson to undertake such a project. They knew it would be a lengthy and expensive endeavor, although they as yet had no idea just how lengthy and expensive it would be. They first asked Johnson to draw up a preliminary outline of the project. After Johnson made revisions to the first draft, a second draft was shown to Philip Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773), who offered a handful of suggested revisions as well. Widely regarded as an authority on linguistic matters, Chesterfield's endorsement was seen as key to the marketability of the dictionary, and indeed both the second draft and the published version are addressed to him directly.