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The Dictionary People: The Unsung Heroes Who Created the Oxford English Dictionary

Name: The Dictionary People: The Unsung Heroes Who Created the Oxford English Dictionary
Price: 27 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.2 (27 reviews)

4.2 of 5 Stars: Words, Language & Grammar - The Dictionary People: The Unsung Heroes Who Created the Oxford English Dictionary

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Book Synopsis: A history and celebration of the many far-flung volunteers who helped define the English language, word by word. “Enthralling and exuberant, Sarah Ogilvie tells the surprising story of the making of the OED. Philologists, fantasists, crackpots, criminals, career spinsters, suffragists, and Australians: here is a wonder book for word lovers.” —Jeanette Winterson, author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit The Oxford English Dictionary is one of mankind’s greatest achievements, and yet, curiously, its creators are almost never considered. Who were the people behind this unprecedented book? As Sarah Ogilvie reveals, they include three murderers, a collector of pornography, the daughter of Karl Marx, a president of Yale, a radical suffragette, a vicar who was later found dead in the cupboard of his chapel, an inventor of the first American subway, a female anti-slavery activist in Philadelphia . . . and thousands of others. Of deep transgenerational and broad appeal, a thrilling literary detective story that, for the first time, unravels the mystery of the endlessly fascinating contributors the world over who, for over seventy years, helped to codify the way we read and write and speak. It was the greatest crowdsourcing endeavor in human history, the Wikipedia of its time. The Dictionary People is a celebration of words, language, and people, whose eccentricities and obsessions, triumphs, and failures enriched the English language.

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Discover the untold story of the heroes behind the Oxford English Dictionary in "The Dictionary People: The Unsung Heroes Who Created the Oxford English Dictionary." Unveiling the hidden individuals who dedicated their lives to shaping the English language, this captivating book by Sarah Ogilvie offers an enthralling journey into the making of one of mankind's greatest achievements.

From philologists and fantasists to crackpots and suffragists, these extraordinary characters come together to create a wonder-filled book that will enchant all word lovers. Author Jeanette Winterson describes it best: "Enthralling and exuberant, Sarah Ogilvie tells the surprising story of the making of the OED. Here is a wonder book for word lovers."

Unleash your curiosity and delve into the lives of the dictionary contributors who shaped the way we read and write. Uncover the intriguing tales of three murderers, a collector of pornography, the daughter of Karl Marx, a president of Yale, and so much more. This remarkable literary detective story unveils the mystery of thousands of contributors, each leaving their unique mark on the English language.

With its transgenerational appeal, "The Dictionary People" invites readers of all backgrounds to explore the greatest crowdsourcing endeavor in human history. Comparable to the Wikipedia of its time, this book exposes the triumphs, failures, eccentricities, and obsessions that enriched the English language we know today.

Become part of history and experience the celebration of words, language, and people in "The Dictionary People: The Unsung Heroes Who Created the Oxford English Dictionary." Start your linguistic adventure now by clicking here.

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