Noah Webster, A Founding Father and Author of America’s First Dictionary Celebrates 250th Birthday on October 16th

DARIEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Noah Webster, the author of the first American dictionary, was born 250 years ago October 16^th.

“The early acquisition of language skills has been recognized as a key element in the development of an educated and productive society as far back as the time of Noah Webster. Literacy is more important in the 21st century than it has been at any point in American history”

A patriot with many talents, Webster served in the American Revolution and rubbed shoulders with the great figures of the day. George Washington read Webster’s works which proposed ideas that later became part of our Constitution. Noah Webster and Ben Franklin became great friends with a common interest in spelling reform. Webster also practiced law, believed and fought for copyright laws, wrote textbooks, and was editor of New York’s first daily newspaper – American Minerva. Noah Webster, however, is best known for his achievement that is the cornerstone of education and literacy today – the first dictionary of American English.

In 1783, Noah wrote a book (at age 25) that would become known as the Blue-Back Speller, a primer that taught grammar, spelling and reading. The book introduced countless children to the essential elements of American English. For 100 years, Noah's book taught children throughout the United States how to read, spell, and pronounce words. It was the most popular American book of its time selling over 100 million copies. By today’s measure, the Blue-Back Speller would be a bestseller.

“The early acquisition of language skills has been recognized as a key element in the development of an educated and productive society as far back as the time of Noah Webster. Literacy is more important in the 21^st century than it has been at any point in American history,” says Deborah Hastings, publisher of Federal Street Press, a division of Merriam-Webster, Inc. dictionary publisher and inheritor of Noah’s legacy. In the early elementary grades students develop reading and vocabulary skills. By 3^rd grade they graduate from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” empowering them to meet the challenges in fourth grade and beyond.

Webster firmly believed that education was important to democracy and was convinced that a dictionary would serve his country and its people in many ways. If America was to be ruled by its people, then the people had to be sufficiently well-educated to take on the responsibility. Noah Webster was one of America’s first social reformers, fighting for anyone whose rights were unprotected. He worked throughout his lifetime as a change agent on diverse issues including worker’s rights, women’s education, child care, social welfare and the emancipation of slaves.

His vision for America is as timely today as it was when our nation was born.

Webster advocated for a common American language and universal education. He’s a true American hero. Happy Birthday, Noah Webster.