Thomas Dyche

Reverend Thomas Dyche (died c. 1733) was an English schoolmaster and lexicographer (probably) from Ashbourne, Derbyshire. He published a number of books on the English language including one thought to be the first English book published in Asia. He is remembered for his reference books and his contribution to pronunciation. Dyche's New General English Dictionary was in print from 1735 to 1798 and went through eighteen editions.

Dyche seems to have died between 1731 and 1735. Dyche's New General English Dictionary was in print from 1735 to 1798 and went through eighteen editions.

This work was a good foundation for his later work on pronunciation in English, which defined over 20,000 words. Although this work was called A Dictionary of Words us'd in the English Tongue... it was a guide to spelling and pronunciation. The work included a number of suggestions for changing the spelling of various words and these suggestions were in time accepted into modern English. This work went through seven editions between 1723 and 1756.

Major works Vocabularium Latiale, or a Latin Vocabulary, in two parts, 8vo, London, 1708 or 1709; 5th edition, 8vo, London, 1728; 6th edition. 8vo, London, 1735. A Guide to the English Tongue, in two parts, 8vo, London. 1709; 2nd edition, 8vo, London, 1710; 14th edition, 12mo, London, 1729. This, the forerunner of similar compendiums by Dilworth, Fenning, and Mavor, had the honour of being ushered into the world with lines addressed to my ingenious Friend the Author by poet laureate Nahum Tate. Another less famous poet, by name John Williams, enthusiastically declares This just essay you have perform'd so well, Records will shew 'twas Dyche first taught to spell. The Spelling Dictionary; or, A Collection of all the common Words and Proper Names made use of in the English Tongue, 1st edition, London, 1723; 2nd edition revised, 12mo, London, 1725; 3rd edition corrected, 12mo, London, 1731; 4th edition corrected, with large additions, 12 mo, London, 1737. A New General English Dictionary; Peculiarly calculated for the Use and Improvement of such as are unacquainted with the Learned Languages, 1st edition. London: Richard Ware, 1735. The publisher added this helpful note to the title page: "Originally begun by the late Reverend Mr. Thomas Dyche... And now finish'd by William Pardon, Gent." Many editions were subsequently published. A French version, with plates, by Père [Rev.] Esprit Pezenas, appeared in two vols. 4to, Avignon, 1756. Dyche was also author of ' The Youth's Guide to the Latin Tongue,' and ' Fables of Phaedrus, rendered into familiar English.'