Professor and the Madman, The | The Professor and the Madman

The Professor and the Madman

Simon Winchester - 2005

Overview

This book chronicles the ambitious undertaking of creating the Oxford English Dictionary. It tells the extraordinary story of two remarkable men whose obsessions shaped literary history. The project's overseer, Professor James Murray, was astonished by the contributions of Dr. W. C. Minor, a man who submitted over ten thousand definitions. Their surprise deepened upon discovering Dr. Minor was an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.

Who it's for

• Readers interested in the history of language and lexicography.
• Those fascinated by true stories of genius and obsession.
• Fans of meticulously researched historical narratives.

Key features

• Paperback edition
• 242 pages
• Published by HarperCollins USA
• ISBN: 9780060839789
• Published in 2005
• Dimensions: 138x209 mm