Johnson's Dictionary

Samuel Johnson’s 'A Dictionary of the English Language,' first published in 1755, remains a cornerstone of lexicography. While Johnson authored the original, Henry John Todd was responsible for the significant 1818 revision. Todd's work was commissioned to update the dictionary with new vocabulary and etymological research, expanding upon Johnson’s initial efforts to standardize the spelling and usage of the English language during the Enlightenment.

The design of these editions often reflects the transition toward early 19th-century academic publishing. Todd aimed to preserve Johnson's original authoritative voice while incorporating the rigorous scholarship of his own era. This specific edition, ISBN 9781021178046, serves as a modern reprint of these historical efforts, providing scholars and bibliophiles access to a work that bridged the gap between the idiosyncratic original and modern dictionary practices.