The Pioneers of English Lexicography: Samuel Johnson and Robert Cawdrey

Introduction to Lexicography

Lexicography, the practice of compiling and presenting dictionaries, has a rich and storied history. While English had a rich vocabulary and literary tradition long before, it wasn’t until the 18th century that the first comprehensive dictionaries began to emerge. Two key figures in this development are Samuel Johnson and Robert Cawdrey. This article explores their contributions to the field of English lexicography.

Robert Cawdrey: The Early Pioneers

The first dictionaries of English date back to the early 17th century. One of the earliest known English dictionaries was published in 1604 by Robert Cawdrey. Cawdrey was a schoolmaster and former Church of England clergyman. His work, titled 'A Table Alphabeticall Conteyning and Teaching the True Writing and Understanding of Hard vsuall English Wordes Borrowed from the Hebrew Greeke Latine or French,' was the first book generally regarded as the first English dictionary.

Content and Methodology

Cawdrey's dictionary included about 2500 definitions and was the first to introduce alphabetical order, a concept that had to be explained to readers in England. His work was not comprehensive, but it introduced the idea of defining words and providing their usage in English. The introduction of alphabetical order was a significant step forward, making the dictionary easy to use and navigate.

Samuel Johnson: The Father of Modern English Lexicography

Samuel Johnson's 'A Dictionary of the English Language,' published in 1755, stands as a monumental achievement in the history of lexicography. Johnson's dictionary took over nine years to complete, with the assistance of six full-time assistants. Johnson produced definitions for over 40,000 words, using at least 114,000 quotations to illustrate them.

Innovation and Scope

Johnson's dictionary was groundbreaking for several reasons. First, it was the first dictionary to attempt to be comprehensive, aiming to define every word used in English in every meaning. Although the goal of defining every word was virtually impossible, Johnson came closer to this aim than any previous lexicographer. Second, Johnson's dictionary was the work of a single person, making it an unprecedented accomplishment. The use of quotations to show how words were and had been used was a novel and effective method that has since become a standard in dictionary writing.

Accomplishments and Significance

Johnson's dictionary stands as a significant milestone in the history of lexicography. It was the first to incorporate a wide range of quotations from literary sources and historical documents, providing context and usage examples for words. This approach allowed readers to understand not just the definition of a word, but also how it was used in different contexts. Johnson's dictionary also introduced a systematic approach to defining words, setting a standard for future dictionaries.

Legacy and Influence

The work of both Cawdrey and Johnson laid the foundation for modern English lexicography. Their dictionaries provided a structured approach to defining and understanding the English language. Over the centuries, their influence can be seen in the development of subsequent dictionaries, such as the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which continues to build on the foundational work of these early lexicographers.

Conclusion

The contributions of Robert Cawdrey and Samuel Johnson to the field of English lexicography were instrumental in shaping the way we understand and use language today. From the introduction of alphabetical order to the comprehensive approach to defining words, their work has had a lasting impact on the field of lexicography. As the study of language continues to evolve, the legacy of these pioneers remains an important part of our linguistic heritage.

Keywords

Keywords: English lexicography, Samuel Johnson, Robert Cawdrey

References

Oxford English Dictionary, 'The First English Dictionaries'