A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are Deduced From Their Originals, and Illustrated in Their Different Significations By Examples From the Best Writers. To Which are Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar

Dublin: Thomas Ewing, 1775. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 10.5" by 8.5". None. A striking and important edition of Samuel Johnson's dictionary of the English language, the first complete edition to be printed in Ireland. The first edition thus, being the first quarto edition and first complete edition printed in Ireland. This printing is based on the fourth London folio edition of 1773, a conclusive edition which was the only one for which Johnson provided any additions or corrections.ESTC citation number T117233.Complete in two volumes. List of subscribers to the front of Volume I. Collated, complete.'A Dictionary of the English Language' is one of the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language, and was the pre-eminent English dictionary under the 'Oxford English Dictionary' was completed one-hundred and seventy-three years after Johnson's was published.Johnson took around seven years to complete this dictionary, and worked on it single-handedly.'A History of the Language' and 'An English Grammar' are prefixed.Volume I includes A-K, Volume II includes L-Z.Samuel Johnson was a noted English author of the eighteenth century, well perceived in his friend James Boswell's 'The Life of Samuel Johnson', which is considered to be one of the most important biographies ever written. In a full calf binding, rebacked with the original boards restored. Externally, smart. Evidence of former loss to the joints prior to rebacking. Light bumping to the extremities. Some minor marks and a little rubbing to the boards. Gilt to the spines is rubbed. Prior owner's ink inscription to the front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned with the occasional spot. Faint tide mark to the title page of Volume I, with a larger tide mark to the first few pages of Volume II. Very Good