1. Noah Webster “Language is not an abstract construction of the learned, or of dictionary makers, but is something arising out of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, and tastes of long generations of humanity, and has its bases broad and low, close to the ground”

2. Born October 16th, 1758 on a small farm in Hartford, Connecticut Was descended on both his father’s and his mother’s side from great former Governor’s of Connecticut Grew up helping his father on their families’ farm Attended Yale College at the age of 15 HisEarlyYears

3. Began at Yale in 1773 Had to postpone his education when the Revolution broke out and Because of his strong belief in the American cause, he volunteered and served under his father throughout the war Returned to Yale at the end of the war Graduated in 1778 Planned to go on in his schooling to become a lawyer but first he became a teacher to help support his family that was struggling financially College and the Revolution

4. Developed an intense dislike for the way American schools were run because… They were too crowded Had untrained teachers and Used textbooks written by the English Wrote the first American textbook in 1783 He began traveling around the original thirteen colonies spreading word of his textbook. While doing this, he met Rebecca Greenleaf whom he married in 1789 His Years as a Teacher

5. Began writing it in 1801 He spent more than 20 years and thousands of dollars researching the origins of words to ensure that his dictionary was as accurate as possible Changed the spelling of many words Musick to Music Centre to Center Plough to Plow Finally finished after 27 years and after he had reached about 70,000 words. It was published officially in 1828 and Webster passed away just 15 years after this at the age of 85. The First American Dictionary

6. The first American textbooks and We have a strong sense of pride for our country and in it’s abilities to stand on it’s own two feet We may have to rely on other countries for things like oil but thanks to Webster we do not have to rely on them for our education The first American dictionary We now have a universal way of saying and doing things in our country. Without Webster, there would probably still be many disputes going on that are completely unnecessary Major Contributions

7. We can now teach a child to read with confidence that it will give them an understanding of the world rather than teaching them they way you believe to be right and then they go out and hear others speak differently, this is possible because of Webster Because of Webster, we can pass on his love for his country and show the children just how much they can do with just a little faith and pride in ones country. So What