Creator
Joseph Worcester ed
Title
An American Dictionary of the English Language . . . By Noah Webster, LL.D
Coverage
New York
Publisher
Sherman Converse
Date
1829
Description
Three years—1828 to 1830—saw the most prolific output ever by a lexicographer: Joseph E. Worcester. First came his abridgment of Johnson’s Dictionary. Converse then approached him to abridge Webster’s masterwork. Worcester declined, but when Converse brandished $80,000 (in today’s money), he quickly abridged Webster, correcting palpable errors. Then he returned to his own dictionary, acknowledging there what he had learned from Webster. But Webster cried plagiarism. Amplified accusations would plague Worcester for the rest of his days.
Source
Ex coll. Karolyne & Bryan A. Garner. HHD no. 63