Books

London: Printed for J. and P. Knapton, T. Longman and T. Shewell, C. Hitch.., 1747. Second Edition of Johnson's 'Plan' for the Dictionary and Printed to Coincide with the Publication of the Dictionary's First Edition [JOHNSON, Samuel]. The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language. Addressed to the Right and Honourable Philip Dormer, Earl of Chesterfield; One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State. London: Printed for J. and P. Knapton, T. Longman and T. Shewell, C. Hitch..., 1747 [i.e. 1755]. Second edition, one of 1500 copies printed to coincide with the publication of the Dictionary in 1755. Although the date on the title-page is 1747, it was actually published in 1755. There are two states of unknown priority, one as present copy with figure "4" on page 4, the other with figure "8" on page 4. Octavo in fours (7 5/8 x 4 1/2 inches; 194 x 115 mm). [2], 37, 1, blank] pp. Bound in a "Miscellany" together with other pamphlets. The only copy we could find at auction…

Samuel Johnson's 'A Dictionary of the English Language' is among the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language. First published on 15 April 1755, the dictionary offered comprehensive definitions and illustrative examples of usage.