Chauncey A. Goodrich

The scholarly son-in-law who became the guardian of American English, steering Noah Webster's monumental dictionary into the 19th century.

1790–1860 (age 70)·American clergyman, educator and lexicographer·Birthday: October 23

Photo: John Chester Buttre, from a daguerreotype by Major Moulthrop · Public domain

Biography

Chauncey Goodrich was a New England intellectual who found his life's work through marriage. As a professor of rhetoric at Yale College and an ordained minister, he was a respected figure in New Haven's academic circles. His pivotal role in American letters, however, came from his family connection: he married Webster's daughter, Julia. Upon Noah Webster's death in 1843, Goodrich took up the immense task of editing and revising his father-in-law's seminal 'American Dictionary of the English Language.' He wasn't merely a caretaker; Goodrich oversaw significant updates for the 1847 edition, adding new words, scientific terms, and illustrations, making the dictionary more modern and accessible. His work ensured the Webster name remained synonymous with American lexicography for generations, bridging the gap between Webster's original vision and the evolving language of a growing nation.

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Chauncey's Life & Times

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1790Born

1795Started school

1803Became a teenager

1806Could drive

1808Could vote

1811Turned 21

1820Turned 30

1830Turned 40

1840Turned 50

1850Turned 60

1860Turned 70

Key Achievements

Edited and significantly revised Noah Webster's 'American Dictionary of the English Language' for its 1847 edition.
Served as a professor of rhetoric and oratory at Yale College for over three decades.
Was ordained as a Congregational minister and preached periodically throughout his life.