You Down With OED?

This book chronicles the twenty-year friendship between Professor James Murray, the head of the committee supervising the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary, and Dr. William Chester Minor, who contributed more than ten thousand words to the project despite being incarcerated at an asylum for the criminally insane. The narrative delves into the lives of these two men, their contributions to the dictionary, and the broader historical context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It explores themes of madness, genius, and the obsessive efforts that went into creating one of the greatest literary achievements in English history.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is the principal historical dictionary of the English language. It was first published in 1884 and has since undergone several editions and supplements. The second edition, published in 1989, comprises 20 volumes and includes over 500,000 words, 290,000 main entries, and extensive etymological and historical information. The dictionary features entries with the earliest recorded sense of a word, followed by additional senses in historical order, along with illustrative quotations. It is a seminal work for scholars and researchers, providing a detailed insight into the evolution of the English language.

Sarah Ogilvie's "The Dictionary People" unveils the untold stories of the thousands of individuals who contributed to the Oxford English Dictionary. It highlights the diverse backgrounds of these contributors, many of whom were women, lacked formal education, or were patients in mental institutions. The book explores their motivations, the challenges they faced, and their significant impact on the creation of this monumental work. Ogilvie's research sheds light on the human element behind the dictionary, revealing a rich tapestry of lives and experiences. The book challenges the traditional perception of the OED as a purely scholarly endeavor, emphasizing the collaborative and inclusive nature of its creation.