History Impossible The Birth of the Lexicon, Part II: The American Lunatic (Infinitesimal Impossibilities 04)
Dec 19, 2022
02:13:36
In this second part of our story about the birth of the Oxford English Dictionary, we cover the second half--perhaps the second hemisphere, to use a brain pun--of the main minds behind the creation of the multi-volume book. This is the story of William Chester Minor, an American polymath of sorts similar to James Murray, though of far greater education and class status.
Minor's time growing up in Ceylon (what is now Sri Lanka) is discussed, as is his military education and time serving in the U.S. Civil War, where it is quite possible that his mind finally became broken. We then discuss his move to London, and the ghastly crime he committed that landed him in the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. His correspondence with the dictionary editors, and his developing friendship with James Murray is discussed, as well as his nightly battles with his own demons that never left him.
But most of all, his massive contribution to the birth of the English lexicon is celebrated. It ultimately begs the question: if not for this mad American surgeon, would we still be languishing today, trying to develop a proper English dictionary?
…
History Impossible has been made possible by the following generous supporters on Patreon and PayPal. Please consider donating today to help keep me free and this show alive.
David Adamcik
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Benjamin
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CJ
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CR
daddygorgon
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Nathan Diehl
Gavin Edwards
eli123ky
Kevin Gony
Nathan Grote
Al Hall
Benjamin Hamilton
Peter Hauck
Joseph Hurst
Thomas Justesen
Mike Kalnins
Bryn Kaufman
Benjamin Lee
Trevor Lindborg
Maddy
Mounty of Madness
Jose Martinez
Mike Mayleben
Judy McCoid
Monica
Kostas Moros
Ryan Mortenson
Ben Mullen
Skip Pacheco
Molly Pan
Jeff Parrent
Jean Peters
Brian Pritzl
PJ Rader
Gleb Radutsky
Aleksandr Rakitin
Edward Ray
Jon Andre Saether
Alison Salo
Jake Scalia
Emily Schmidt
Julian Schmidt
Cameron Smith
Thomas Squeo
Brian Steggeman
Pier-Luc St-Pierre
Philipp Surkov
Jared Cole Temple
ChrisTX
Steve Uhler
Ricky Worthey
F. You
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/history-impossible--5634566/support.
Minor's time growing up in Ceylon (what is now Sri Lanka) is discussed, as is his military education and time serving in the U.S. Civil War, where it is quite possible that his mind finally became broken. We then discuss his move to London, and the ghastly crime he committed that landed him in the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. His correspondence with the dictionary editors, and his developing friendship with James Murray is discussed, as well as his nightly battles with his own demons that never left him.
But most of all, his massive contribution to the birth of the English lexicon is celebrated. It ultimately begs the question: if not for this mad American surgeon, would we still be languishing today, trying to develop a proper English dictionary?
…
History Impossible has been made possible by the following generous supporters on Patreon and PayPal. Please consider donating today to help keep me free and this show alive.
David Adamcik
Alireza Atarian
Benjamin
Elias Borota
Charles C
CJ
Cliffydeuce
CR
daddygorgon
Richard Davey
Nathan Diehl
Gavin Edwards
eli123ky
Kevin Gony
Nathan Grote
Al Hall
Benjamin Hamilton
Peter Hauck
Joseph Hurst
Thomas Justesen
Mike Kalnins
Bryn Kaufman
Benjamin Lee
Trevor Lindborg
Maddy
Mounty of Madness
Jose Martinez
Mike Mayleben
Judy McCoid
Monica
Kostas Moros
Ryan Mortenson
Ben Mullen
Skip Pacheco
Molly Pan
Jeff Parrent
Jean Peters
Brian Pritzl
PJ Rader
Gleb Radutsky
Aleksandr Rakitin
Edward Ray
Jon Andre Saether
Alison Salo
Jake Scalia
Emily Schmidt
Julian Schmidt
Cameron Smith
Thomas Squeo
Brian Steggeman
Pier-Luc St-Pierre
Philipp Surkov
Jared Cole Temple
ChrisTX
Steve Uhler
Ricky Worthey
F. You
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/history-impossible--5634566/support.