The Making of Johnson's Dictionary, 1746-1773 (Cambridge Studies in Publishing and Printing History) - Hardcover

Reddick, Allen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521361605 ISBN 13: 9780521361606

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1990

Synopsis

As the first great English dictionary, and the only dictionary created by a great writer, Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language is recognised as a landmark in English language and letters. The heroic effort of the work's creation over nine years has long been enshrined in English literary mythology. However, details pertaining to Johnson's long years of work on his Dictionary are very scarce. With the recent discovery and deciphering of manuscript materials, including hundreds of unpublished revisions, Reddick describes the conception, composition, writing and subsequent revision of the Dictionary. Reddick argues that the Dictionary does not reflect Johnson's final thoughts on a fixed language, but rather constitutes a text in flux, changed repeatedly throughout Johnson's lifetime. He also contributes more generally to the biographical information about Johnson during these 'middle' years, and analyses the political and theological aspects of the work, attempting to determine how we 'read' Johnson's Dictionary.

About this title

Review

'... a major contribution to Johnsonian studies sure to endure the test of time ... a methodological model that will doubtless influence future scholarship well beyond eighteenth-century or lexicographical studies ... surely a landmark study.' British Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies

'After Reddick, there can be no return to any unexamined sense of the Dictionary's wholeness. At the same time, he makes Johnson's achievement appear, if anything, greater, a more deeply human monument built out of shreds and patches.' The Times Literary Supplement

'... a fascinating and wonderful piece of scholarly detective work ... The chapter that Reddick bases solely on his new discoveries ... is as good a single chapter as anyone has written in any book on Johnson of the last thirty years.' The Age of Johnson

'An important, exact, and fascinating book.' Bibliographical Society of America

'... a landmark study.' Eighteenth-Century Studies '... a fascinating and wonderful piece of scholarly detective work.' The Age of Johnson

Book Description

Allen Reddick's acclaimed study of the conception, composition, writing and subsequent revision of the first great English dictionary, using newly discovered manuscript materials. This second edition incorporates new commentary and scholarship.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0521361605
• ISBN 13: 9780521361606
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 263