Biography · Biography & Autobiography · Encyclopedias and dictionaries
The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester — Summary, Key Ideas & Quotes
1998242 pages✦ 3-min Big ideas★ 3.5 (4)
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What is The Professor and the Madman about?
The Professor and the Madman, masterfully researched and eloquently written, is an extraordinary tale of madness, genius, and the incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary—and literary history. The compilation of the OED begun in 1857, was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor James Murray, discovered that one man, Dr. W. C. Minor, had submitted more than ten thousand. When the committee insisted on honoring him, a shocking truth came to light: Dr. Minor, an American Civil War veteran, was also an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.
A glimpse inside
The Birth of the Oxford English Dictionary
The book delves into the monumental challenge of cataloging the English language, a task that required unprecedented collaboration and perseverance. The OED was envisioned as a comprehensive record of every English word, tracing their origins and evolution. Winchester shows how this project was both a scholarly endeavor and a logistical feat, dependent on thousands of volunteers and contributors. The OED's creation reflects the Victorian era's faith in knowledge, order, and the democratization of learning.
The Unlikely Collaboration
At the heart of the narrative is the extraordinary partnership between Professor James Murray, the OED's chief editor, and Dr. William Chester Minor, an American surgeon and Civil War veteran confined to Broadmoor Asylum for the criminally insane. Despite never meeting for years, their correspondence was central to the dictionary’s progress. Winchester highlights how their relationship transcended social barriers and personal tragedy, showing that great achievements often arise from unexpected sources.
Ratings at a glance
Open Library
★ 3.5 / 5
4 ratings
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Get smart in 3 min
6 key ideas, distilled
- 1The Birth of the Oxford English Dictionary
- 2The Unlikely Collaboration
- 3Madness and Genius Intertwined
- 4Obsession as a Creative Force
- 5The Power and Complexity of Language
Popular quotes from The Professor and the Madman
“Every quotation contributes something to the definition of its word.”
“The English language is like London: it is a collection of words, not an arrangement.”
Frequently asked
The Professor and the Madman, masterfully researched and eloquently written, is an extraordinary tale of madness, genius, and the incredible obsessions of two remarkable men that led to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary—and literary history. The compilation of the OED begun in 1857, was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. As definitions were collected, the overseeing comm