Noah Webster

American lexicographer and author

Born: October 16, 1758 · Died: May 28, 1843

Famous Persons

Who was Noah Webster?

Noah Webster (October 16, 1758 – May 28, 1843) was an American lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English-language spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and author. He has been called the "Father of American Scholarship and Education". Born in West Hartford, Connecticut, Webster graduated from Yale College in 1778. He found some financial success by opening a private school and writing a series of educational books, including the "Blue-Back Speller". He authored a large number of "Blue-Back Speller" books which were used to teach American children how to spell and read. He passed the bar examination after studying law under Oliver Ellsworth and others but was unable to find work as a lawyer. A strong supporter of the American Revolution and the ratification of the United States Constitution, Webster later criticized American society as being in need of an intellectual foundation. He believed American nationalism had distinctive qualities that differed from European values.

Historical significance

He is also the author for the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as An American Dictionary of the English Language.

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Wikipedia source

Cite this page

MLA

“Noah Webster.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/noah-webster/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

APA

Noah Webster. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/noah-webster/

Chicago

“Noah Webster.” thisDay. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/noah-webster/.

Found an error? Let us know.