Robert Ainsworth (lexicographer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Ainsworth was an English
Latin
lexicographer, and author of the well-known compendious Dictionary of the Latin Tongue. He was born at Eccles
, near Salford, Lancashire
in September 1660. After he had finished his own education, he commenced as schoolmaster at Bolton
; from there he went to London; and at Bethnal Green
, Hackney
, and other suburban villages, continued to keep a school, until he was fortunate enough to realize a competency, some years before his death. In 1736, after about twenty years' labour, he published his great work, with a dedication to Dr. Mead, and a preface explaining his reasons for undertaking it. Improved editions by Patrick, Ward, Young, and Morell have successively appeared; Ward and Young's (1752) in folio, the others in 4to. Dr. Carey's (1816) is a more recent version, and has been esteemed as one of the best. There are also abridgments by Young and Morell.
This dictionary was undoubtedly a great improvement upon all that had preceded it in England: that of Dr. Adam was a further advance; but a good school dictionary is still wanted, and the works of Facciolati and Scheller, now so accessible to the English scholar through the translations of Bailey and Riddle, present abundant assistance towards the composition of such a book. Ainsworth was author of A Short Treatise on Grammar, and some smaller pieces. He is said to have been a hunter after old coins and other curiosities. He died on 4 April 1743, at the age of 77. He was buried at Poplar
, and an inscription in Latin verse, written by himself, was placed over his remains and those of his wife.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
lexicographer, and author of the well-known compendious Dictionary of the Latin Tongue. He was born at Eccles
Eccles, Greater Manchester
Eccles is a town in the City of Salford, a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester in North West England, west of Salford and west of Manchester city centre...
, near Salford, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
in September 1660. After he had finished his own education, he commenced as schoolmaster at Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
; from there he went to London; and at Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
, Hackney
London Borough of Hackney
The London Borough of Hackney is a London borough of North/North East London, and forms part of inner London. The local authority is Hackney London Borough Council....
, and other suburban villages, continued to keep a school, until he was fortunate enough to realize a competency, some years before his death. In 1736, after about twenty years' labour, he published his great work, with a dedication to Dr. Mead, and a preface explaining his reasons for undertaking it. Improved editions by Patrick, Ward, Young, and Morell have successively appeared; Ward and Young's (1752) in folio, the others in 4to. Dr. Carey's (1816) is a more recent version, and has been esteemed as one of the best. There are also abridgments by Young and Morell.
This dictionary was undoubtedly a great improvement upon all that had preceded it in England: that of Dr. Adam was a further advance; but a good school dictionary is still wanted, and the works of Facciolati and Scheller, now so accessible to the English scholar through the translations of Bailey and Riddle, present abundant assistance towards the composition of such a book. Ainsworth was author of A Short Treatise on Grammar, and some smaller pieces. He is said to have been a hunter after old coins and other curiosities. He died on 4 April 1743, at the age of 77. He was buried at Poplar
Poplar, London
Poplar is a historic, mainly residential area of the East End of London in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is about east of Charing Cross. Historically a hamlet in the parish of Stepney, Middlesex, in 1817 Poplar became a civil parish. In 1855 the Poplar District of the Metropolis was...
, and an inscription in Latin verse, written by himself, was placed over his remains and those of his wife.