Comprises Noah Webster's formal autobiography (published here for the first time, according to the publisher), several other of his writings about his life, and an analytical essay by the editor. Webster's comments are wide-ranging about American life and public figures between 1778 and 1843. Annota
An “excellent” biography of the man behind Webster’s Dictionary and the role he played in American history (School Library Journal, starred review). Noah Webster may be best remembered for the enormous and ambitious task of writing his famous dictionary, but there was much more to his accomplishments. His goal was to streamline the language spoken in a newly formed country so it could be used as a force to bring people together and a source of national pride. Though people laughed at his ideas, Webster never doubted himself. In the end, his so-called foolish notions achieved just what he had hoped. Here, in the only biography of Noah Webster written for teen readers, we journey through Webster’s remarkable life, from boyhood on a Connecticut farm, through the fight for American independence to his days as a writer and political activist who greatly influenced our founding fathers and the direction of the young United States. “Capably weaves Webster’s biography into the history of America’s early years.” —Booklist “Impeccably researched . . . Provides readers with a glimpse at historical figures such as Thomas Paine, George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
This picture book celebrates one of the most important patriots in post-Revolutionary times -- Noah Webster. Most readers know Noah Webster for his dictionary masterpieces and his promotion of a living "American Language" that embraces words and idioms from all its immigrant peoples. But he was also the driving force behind universal education for all citizens, including slaves, females, and adult learners. Speaker of twenty languages, he developed the new country's curriculum, writing and publishing American literature, American history, and American geography. He published New York City's first daily newspaper. As editor, Webster conducted a study and linked disease with poor sanitation. He created the country's first insurance company, established America's first copyright law, and became America's first best-selling author.
This book is a volume in the Penn Press Anniversary Collection. To mark its 125th anniversary in 2015, the University of Pennsylvania Press rereleased more than 1,100 titles from Penn Press's distinguished backlist from 1899-1999 that had fallen out of print. Spanning an entire century, the Anniversary Collection offers peer-reviewed scholarship in a wide range of subject areas.