The evolution of English lexicography (eBook)

James Augustus Henry Sir Murray (1837–1915) was a formidable figure in the realm of linguistic scholarship, primarily celebrated for his role as the principal editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Murray's contributions to lexicography are vast, but his seminal work 'The Evolution of English Lexicography' is particularly notable. In this text, he surveys the development of English dictionaries, offering critical insights on the lexicographical practices of his time and before. His scholarly pursuit was characterized by an exhaustive approach to etymology, one that embraced philological rigor and a systematic methodology in the collation of words and their meanings. Murray's devotion to language and its history was reflected in his meticulousness; under his stewardship, the OED grew into an unparalleled lexicon that chronicled the English language with unprecedented breadth and depth. His influence on lexicography is inestimable, having set standards for descriptive dictionary-making that endure to this day. Murray's literary style was characterized by clarity, precision, and a profound respect for the historical underpinnings of words. The scholarly community continues to revere his work not only for its academic merits but also for the dedication it embodied in capturing the evolving tapestry of the English lexicon.