Noah Webster
Noah Webster, Jr. (October 16, 1758 – May 28, 1843), was a lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English-language spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. He has been called the "Father of American Scholarship and Education". His blue-backed speller books taught five generations of American children how to spell and read, secularizing their education. According to Ellis (1979) he gave Americans "a secular catechism to the nation-state".
Webster's name has become synonymous with "dictionary" in the United States, especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as An American Dictionary of the English Language. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the nation.
“The heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head.”
Noah Webster
“A pure democracy is generally a very bad government, It is often the most tyrannical government on earth; for a multitude is often rash, and will not hear reason.”
Noah Webster
“Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of her honor.”
Noah Webster
“The reasonableness of the command to obey parents is clear to children, even when quite young.”
Noah Webster
“Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country.”
Noah Webster
“In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate - look to his character.”
Noah Webster
“There iz no alternativ. Every possible reezon that could ever be offered for altering the spelling of wurds, stil exists in full force; and if a gradual reform should not be made in our language, it wil proov that we are less under the influence of reezon than our ancestors.[This quote illustrates the reformed spelling advocated by Webster.]”
Noah Webster