The Works of Samuel Johnson, Vol 18; Johnson on the English Language

by Samuel Johnson; Edited by Gwin J. Kolb and Robert DeMaria, Jr.

• ISBN13: 9780300106725
• ISBN10: 0300106726
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2005-11-22
• Publisher: Yale University Press

Summary

This volume collects the most important statements on the English language by Samuel Johnson, one of its greatest expositors and speakers. The book includes scholarly, fully annotated editions of Johnson's main writings on the history, structure, and cultural importance of the English language as well as his reflections on lexicography. These texts represent Johnson's thinking as he undertook and completed the major work of his life, the colossalDictionary of the English Language. The editors set Johnson's writings on the English language in historical context and provide the fullest possible account of their composition. Among the works presented in the volume are Johnson'sPlan of a Dictionary of the English Languageandthe Preface to theDictionary,both of which are counted among his finest works of prose.

Author Biography

Gwin J. Kolb is Chester D. Tripp Professor Emeritus in Humanities, University of Chicago. Robert DeMaria, Jr., is Henry Noble McCracken Professor of English at Vassar College.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Contents	xv
Introduction	xvii
Short Titles and Abbreviations	xlv
Sigla Used in the Textual Notes	xlvii
The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language (1747) Editor's Introduction	3	(488)
The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language (1747)	25	(38)
From A Dictionary of the English Language (1755)
Editor's Introduction to the Preface	63	(10)
Preface	73	(42)
Editor's Introduction to ``The History of the English Language''	115	(10)
``The History of the English Language''	125	(140)
Editor's Introduction to ``A Grammar of the English Tongue''	265	(10)
``A Grammar of the English Tongue''	275	(88)
From A Dictionary of the English Language, First Abridged Edition (1756)
Editor's Introduction	363	(4)
The Preface	367	(6)
From A Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Folio Edition (1773)
Editor's Introduction	373	(2)
``Advertisement to this Edition''	375	(4)
Appendices
Facsimile and Transcription of ``A Short Scheme for compiling a new Dictionary of the English Language''	379	(49)
Facsimile of the Fair Copy of the Plan	428	(63)
Index	491