Books

London: for J. F. and C. Rivington, L. Davis, T. Payne and Son, W. Owen, T. Longman, B. Law, J. Dodsley, C. Dilly [& 20 others in London], 1785. 5th or later Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 2 volumes, quarto (273 × 212mm). Very good copy. Half-title present, frontispiece portrait of Johnson. First authorized quarto edition, preceded by a pirate Dublin edition the previous year. This edition was issued following Johnson's death in 1784. Courtney & Smith p.57. 6th edition.

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.