by Samuel Johnson

History of the Dictionary
Read this brief history of the English dictionary, part of which is devoted to Samuel Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language. Trace the development of the book from the 1500s through Webster's controversial offering in the 1990s. Why would an unabridged dictionary cause an uproar? What does it say about the place of the dictionary in our culture and about language in general? Discuss.

Unforgettable Letters
Samuel Johnson's "Letter to Lord Chesterfield" tells us as much about the writer of the letter as it does about its addressee. This site, hosted by the United States Postal System, highlights both the historical and cultural importance of letters. Read the personal epistles of such luminaries as George Washington, Michelangelo, and Amelia Earhart. Then write a letter to a friend that could be added to a collection of letters entitled "Friendship."