The Surgeon of Crowthorne: A Tale of Murder, Madness and the Oxford English Dictionary

Simon, Winchester

ISBN 10: 0141801832 ISBN 13: 9780141801834

Publisher: Penguin, 2000

Synopsis

The making of the Oxford English Dictionary was a monumental 50 year task requiring thousands of volunteers. W C Minor, one of the keenest, astonished everyone by refusing to come to Oxford to receive congratulations. Finally the editor, James Murray, travelled to Crowthorne in Berkshire to meet him. There he discovered that Minor was a millionaire American Civil War surgeon turned lunatic, and that he was imprisoned in Broadmoor for murder. There he had dedicated his entire cell-bound life to working on the English language.

About this title

Review

Subtitled "A Tale of Murder, Madness and the Love of Words", this is a remarkable account of the life of WC Minor. Not a famous name, but a quite extraordinary man. Minor was an American Army surgeon and millionaire who contributed enormously by post to the first, epic edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) while hidden away in obscurity in Berkshire, England. As the author points out, the OED is the most important work of reference ever created, and, given the globalisation of the English language, is likely to remain so for centuries. But when in 1896 Sir James Murray, the formidable editor of the OED, at last travelled down to Berkshire to find this elusive lexicographer and thank him for all his work, he found Minor in Broadmoor: patient Number 742.

Minor was educated, gentlemanly, industrious and a psychopathic killer, who had gunned down a man at random in the London streets because he believed his victim was an Irish terrorist after his blood. Simon Winchester won't win any prizes for the elegance of his prose style, but he has dug up a strange and extraordinary life story and turned it into a compelling piece of historical detective work. He never really penetrates into the central mystery of Minor's madness, because no-one can. The mystery remains, inviolable, and makes his tale all the more darkly compelling. --Christopher Hart

About the Author

Simon Winchester reported from almost everywhere in the world during his long career with the Guardian. He now contributes to a number of publications including the Daily Telegraph and the Spectator, and to the BBC. His books include Prison Diary, Argentina, Outposts and The River at the Centre of the World.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0141801832
• ISBN 13: 9780141801834
• Binding: Audio CD
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 3