Plan and Preface to a Dictionary of the English Language

Samuel Johnson's 'Plan and Preface to a Dictionary of the English Language' was published in 1755 as an introduction to his groundbreaking dictionary, which contained 42,773 words and was notable for its size and depth. Despite its initial high cost and the challenges Johnson faced in profiting from it, the work established him as a significant literary figure and laid the groundwork for modern lexicography. The dictionary's impact on the English language and its usage remains influential to this day.