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The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the
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The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary Paperback - 2005

by Simon Winchester

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Hailed by the "New York Times" as "a fascinating, spicy, learned tale," this runaway national bestseller takes an extraordinary look into literary genius, madness, and the making of the"Oxford English Dictionary."

Summary

The Professor and the Madman, masterfully researched and eloquently written, is an extraordinary tale of madness, genius, and the incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary -- and literary history. The compilation of the OED began in 1857, it was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor James Murray, discovered that one man, Dr. W. C. Minor, had submitted more than ten thousand. When the committee insisted on honoring him, a shocking truth came to light: Dr. Minor, an American Civil War veteran, was also an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.

Reader reviews for The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary

From the publisher

A New York Times Notable Book

The Professor and the Madman is an extraordinary tale of madness, genius, and the incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary--and literary history.

The making of the OED was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor James Murray, was stunned to discover that one man, Dr. W. C. Minor, had submitted more than ten thousand. But their surprise would pale in comparison to what they were about to discover when the committee insisted on honoring him. For Dr. Minor, an American Civil War veteran, was also an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.

Masterfully researched and eloquently written, The Professor and the Madman "is the linguistic detective story of the decade." (William Safire, New York Times Magazine)

This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.

From the rear cover

The Professor and the Madman, masterfully researched and eloquently written, is an extraordinary tale of madness, genius, and the incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary -- and literary history. The compilation of the OED began in 1857, it was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor James Murray, discovered that one man, Dr. W. C. Minor, had submitted more than ten thousand. When the committee insisted on honoring him, a shocking truth came to light: Dr. Minor, an American Civil War veteran, was also an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.

This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.

Details

  • Title The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary
  • Author Simon Winchester
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Later Printing
  • Pages 288
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Harper Perennial, Scarborough, ON, Canada
  • Publication date July 5, 2005
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780060839789 / 0060839783
  • Weight 0.48 lbs (0.22 kg)
  • Dimensions 8 x 5.31 x 0.65 in (20.32 x 13.49 x 1.65 cm)
  • Reading level 1330
  • Category Biography / Autobiography
  • Library of Congress subjects English language - Etymology, Lexicographers - Great Britain
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 98010204
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

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by Simon Winchester

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by Simon Winchester

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The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English...

The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary

by Simon Winchester

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by Simon Winchester

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