* Early attempts: While not dictionaries in the modern sense, there were early works like "Promptorium Parvulorum" (c. 1440) which provided Latin-to-English translations.
* First English dictionary: "A Table Alphabeticall" (1604) by Robert Cawdrey is often considered the first true English dictionary. It contained around 3,000 words, mainly focused on unusual or obscure words.
* The influential works: "Dictionarium Anglico-Latinum" (1623) by Henry Cockeram and "Glossographia: An English Dictionary" (1656) by Thomas Blount were influential in expanding the scope of English dictionaries.
* The landmark "Dictionary": Samuel Johnson's "A Dictionary of the English Language" (1755) is widely regarded as the most influential dictionary in English history. It standardized spelling and grammar, and provided extensive definitions and examples.
So, while Cawdrey is often credited with the first English dictionary, Samuel Johnson's work had the most significant impact on the development of the English language and the dictionary itself.
Beyond these individuals, the concept of a dictionary continued to evolve through the work of many lexicographers over centuries. Modern dictionaries, like the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster, represent the culmination of this ongoing effort.