The evolution of English lexicography

"The Evolution of English Lexicography" by James Augustus Henry Murray is a lecture from 1900 that examines the historical journey of English dictionaries. Beginning with ancient glossaries designed to explain Latin terms, it explains how dictionaries changed over time to include English words and became useful resources for understanding language. The information shared explains important events, like the Norman Conquest, shaped the English language and how this is reflected in dictionaries. It traces the path to famous works like Samuel Johnson's dictionary, emphasizing how dictionaries evolved into critical tools for language understanding.