A Dictionary of the English Language. By Samuel Johnson, LL.D., and John Walker. With the pronuntiation simplified ... and the addition of several thousand words. By R. S. Jameson. Second edition, revised and corrected

Samuel Johnson’s original A Dictionary of the English Language, first published in 1755, stands as one of the most influential lexicographical works in history. Created to stabilize the English language and provide a systematic record of its vocabulary, Johnson’s monumental effort shifted the focus of lexicography from mere word lists to defining usage through literary citations. This specific iteration, edited by Robert S. Jameson and incorporating the earlier phonetic refinements of John Walker, represents a mid-19th-century evolution of the text designed to make Johnson’s scholarship more accessible to the general public.

The Jameson edition was compiled during an era of significant linguistic expansion, reflecting the growing need for practical references that reconciled Johnson's traditional authority with the changing pronunciation and vocabulary of the Victorian age. By simplifying Walker’s complex phonetic notation and adding thousands of contemporary terms, Jameson aimed to bridge the gap between 18th-century classical rigor and the functional requirements of modern education. The work was well-received by those seeking a comprehensive yet usable desk reference, cementing its place in the academic and private libraries of its time.