Which spelling reformer published An American Dictionary of the English Language? Noah Webster published it.
Webster’s dictionary first appeared in 1828, after decades of work on American spelling, vocabulary and usage. He wanted the United States to possess a more distinctly American linguistic identity and believed that education and shared language could strengthen the young republic.
The first edition contained about 70,000 entries in two quarto volumes. Webster included words from science, technology and everyday American life, not only the literary vocabulary traditionally favored by earlier dictionaries. He also helped popularize spellings such as color, center and honor, although he did not invent every American form associated with his name.
Webster was already famous for The American Spelling Book, often called the Blue-Backed Speller. His dictionary initially sold only about 2,500 copies and contributed to serious financial difficulties. After his death in 1843, George and Charles Merriam acquired rights to later editions, giving rise to the Merriam-Webster publishing tradition.