description William Allen Neilson Overview
William Allen Neilson was a Scottish-American educator and lexicographer. In 1913, he served as editor-in-chief of the extensively revised Webster's New International Dictionary, a major English-language reference work. His place in the history of lexicography is connected to editorial oversight of that dictionary project, while his broader professional identity combined academic education with the preparation of reference material.
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Who was William Allen Neilson?
William Allen Neilson was a Scottish-American educator and lexicographer. His best-known dictionary work includes serving as editor-in-chief of the revised Webster's New International Dictionary in 1913.
What dictionary did William Allen Neilson edit in 1913?
In 1913, Neilson served as editor-in-chief of the extensively revised Webster's New International Dictionary. That work placed him in the history of major English-language reference publishing.
Was William Allen Neilson only a lexicographer?
No. He was also an educator, so his career connected university teaching with dictionary scholarship. His editorial role shows how academic expertise shaped large reference works in the early twentieth century.
Why is Neilson important in the history of English dictionaries?
Neilson helped lead a major revision of Webster's New International Dictionary. The 1913 edition was an important milestone in the development of comprehensive English-language dictionaries.
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