GOOGLE DOODLE

Google honours lexicographer Samuel Johnson with doodle

johnson-google-doodle Google Doodle honouring Samuel Johnson on his 308th birth anniversary

Grabbing a dictionary to know the meaning of a word may now have become a thing of the past in the online world, but Google Doodle on Monday decided to honour Samuel Johnson, the man who compiled a mammoth dictionary of the English language 150 years before the Oxford English Dictionary appeared.

Son of a bookseller, Johnson published A Dictionary of the English Language in 1755 after nine years of work.

On what would have been his 308th birth anniversary, Google Doodle paid homage to Johnson for being a "pioneer lexicographer who dedicated years to his craft."

Johnson dictionary was described as "one of the greatest single achievements of scholarship," and had a far-reaching effect on modern English.

It was described as the premier English dictionary until the publication of the Oxford English Dictionary 150 years later.

Johnson was also a poet, essayist, critic, biographer and editor.

"Johnson's dictionary was more than just a word list: his work provided a vast understanding of 18th century's language and culture. His lasting contributions guaranteed him a place in literary history," Google said.

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Topics : #Google

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