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About the Author
The Merriam brothers desired a continuity of editorship that would link Noah Webster's efforts with their own editions, so they selected Chauncey A. Goodrich, Webster's son-in-law and literary heir, who had been trained in lexicography by Webster himself, to be their editor in chief. Webster's son William also served as an editor of that first Merriam-Webster dictionary, which was published on September 24, 1847.
Although Webster's work was honored, his big dictionaries had never sold well. The 1828 edition was priced at a whopping $20; in 13 years its 2,500 copies had not sold out. Similarly, the 1841 edition, only slightly more affordable at $15, moved slowly. Assuming that a lower price would increase sales, the Merriams introduced the 1847 edition at $6, and although Webster's heirs initially questioned this move, extraordinary sales that brought them $250,000 in royalties over the ensuing 25 years convinced them that the Merriams' decision had been abundantly sound.
The first Merriam-Webster dictionary was greeted with wide acclaim. President James K. Polk, General Zachary Taylor (hero of the Mexican War and later president himself), 31 U.S. senators, and other prominent people hailed it unreservedly. In 1850 its acceptance as a resource for students began when Massachusetts ordered a copy for every school and New York placed a similar order for 10,000 copies to be used in schools throughout the state. Eventually school use would spread throughout the country. In becoming America's most trusted authority on the English language, Merriam-Webster dictionaries had taken on a role of public responsibility demanded of few other publishing companies.
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Words I thought never existed,
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This review is from: The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)
My wife and I are avid scrabble players. She works out of town but when she is home we play usually three games per day.We really enjoy the new fourh edition.It has four thousand more new words than the third edition. Words we never heard of before or since. Not only do we appreciate the book we appreciated the fast delivery of the same. Amazon Rules Yes !!!!!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The official scrabble players dictionary,
By
This review is from: Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (4th Edition) (Paperback)
A superb book covering all the aspects expected of such a publication. Well presented and easy to use. A must for all players, serious or just for family fun.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Scrabble Dictionary,
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This review is from: Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (4th Edition) (Paperback)
Book arrived in good shape and in a timely manner. Some pages are quite faded (insufficient ink).
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