The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary
Description
This remarkable true story chronicles the extraordinary collaboration behind the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, a monumental undertaking that spanned decades. It delves into the lives of Professor James Murray, the brilliant lexicographer tasked with leading the project, and Dr. W.C. Minor, a prolific contributor whose insights were invaluable yet shrouded in a dark secret. As the dictionary's definitions were meticulously gathered, a shocking revelation emerged: Minor, the most prolific contributor, was an inmate of a criminal lunatic asylum. Winchester masterfully weaves together themes of genius, obsession, madness, and the enduring power of language in this captivating historical narrative.
Available Editions
paperback
Penguin
Published Jan 1, 1999
207 pages
ISBN: 9780140271287
Reviews
No ratings yet. Be the first!
No written reviews yet.
Details
First Published
1998
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester.