John Boag (writer) facts for kids
John Boag (born in 1775, died in 1863) was a very special kind of writer and religious leader. He was an evangelist, which means he traveled around sharing religious messages. He was also a pastor, leading a church. But what he is most famous for is being a lexicographer. This means he wrote dictionaries! His biggest work was called the 'Imperial Lexicon', a huge dictionary of the English language.
John Boag's Early Life and Work
Boag was born in a place called Highgate, near Beith in Scotland, on January 7, 1775. He went to the University of Glasgow in 1797. He planned to become a minister in the Church of Scotland. However, he decided to join a different group of churches called Independents or Congregationalists. These churches formed the Congregational Union of Scotland in 1812.
For many years, John Boag worked as an evangelist. He often shared his messages outdoors or by the side of the road. He also led small churches in the Isle of Man and Helensburgh. Eventually, he became the pastor of a very small independent church in the village of Blackburn. He also ran a day-school to earn more money.
Creating the Imperial Lexicon
It was while working in Blackburn that Boag started his most important project. This huge dictionary was his "magnum opus," which means his greatest work. He began this very difficult task after he turned 70 years old!
Boag wanted his dictionary to be special. He aimed to include:
- The etymology (where words come from)
- The pronunciation (how to say words)
- Clear explanations of scientific terms
- Meanings for words used in art and literature
- New words that had appeared since other dictionaries were written
- Changes in the meanings of older words
Amazingly, within just three years, his handwritten dictionary was ready to be printed. The Edinburgh Printing and Publishing Company printed it. Sadly, this company soon went out of business.
Around 1847, another company, Messrs. Fullarton & Co., took over the 'Imperial Lexicon'. They published it in parts, which eventually made up two very large books. The dictionary sold incredibly well! It remained popular for a long time, until a new dictionary by Ogilvie was published, which actually used much of Boag's work as a base. Boag's dictionary also included a "Popular Grammar of the English Language" written by Mr. R. Whyte.
Besides his famous dictionary, John Boag also wrote many short books about important topics of his time. He often wrote for religious magazines too.
Family Life
John Boag married Agnes Hamilton on June 19, 1798. They had six sons and three daughters. One of their sons, Sir Robert Boag, became the mayor of Belfast in 1876.
John Boag passed away on September 15, 1863, at the age of 89. He died at Craigton House in Linlithgowshire, where he had been living with one of his daughters-in-law in his later years.
