"America must be as independent in literature as she is in politics." (Noah Webster)
Noah Webster dedicated his life to the development of textbooks and dictionaries that would solidify the changes of American English after the War for Independence. His religion, his patriotic zeal, his experience as a schoolteacher, and his personality all played an important role in his life work. Because of his accomplishments, he is commonly hailed as "America's Schoolteacher" and "The Forgotten Founding Father."
Webster's Life
1758 On October 16th Noah was born, the fourth child of Noah Sr. and Mercy Webster.
1772 At age 14 Noah was taught by the local minister to prepare him for college.
1774 At age 16 Noah went to Yale University in New Haven.
1778 Noah graduated from Yale and wanted to study law but his father couldn't pay for it.
1779 After teaching in Glastonbury, he began teaching in the West District of Hartford.
1780 Noah moved to Litchfield, CT to study law. He opened a school in Sharon, CT.
1783-85 Published the "Blue-Backed Speller" and opened a law office in Hartford, but spent most of his time getting his "Speller" published and working on copyright legislation.
1785-86 Lectured. Visited states to get support for his textbooks and for copyright legislation and moved to Philadelphia. Moved to New York City and founded "The American Magazine, "featuring essays on the new Constitution, history, education, and good morals. Published Dissertations on the English Language. Married Rebecca Greenleaf and moved back
to Hartford, CT.
1793 Moved back to New York City. Began publication of "The American Minerva" ( a Federalist Party newspaper) and the semi-weekly "Herald."
1798 Noah and Rebecca's family moved to New Haven. Noah served in the state legislature.
1806 Publishes A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language.
1812 Moved to Amherst, Massachusetts; served in the state legislature, and helped found Amherst College.
1822 Moved to New Haven and got his LL.D (Doctor of Law degree) from Yale University; he traveled to France and England to research the dictionary.
1828 Published An American Dictionary of the English Language. He visited Washington, D.C to further copyright legislation, addressed the House of Representatives and dined with President Andrew Jackson.
1843 Noah Webster died on May 28th at age 85. He is buried in the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven with his wife, Rebecca.
[The full timeline and other information about Webster's life can be found here. (noahwebsterhouse.org)]
Taylor Wilcox, Centennial Library Intern