Questions About The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary

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Answered Questions (7)

I would think that being some crazy murderer locked up in an assylum would negate any validity of that guy's work. ?

Karen Mental disorders have nothing to do with intelligence. When Dr. Minor was lucid enough to concentrate on the OED, he produced work that was fully vali…moreMental disorders have nothing to do with intelligence. When Dr. Minor was lucid enough to concentrate on the OED, he produced work that was fully validated by Dr. Murray and the rest of the editors. (less)

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Sounds intriguing. There is not a lot of difference really - between a prof and a madman. Anyone read it?

Carole It was intriguing. I would have to disagree with your reference to the similarity between a professor and a madman. Every profession has members who s…moreIt was intriguing. I would have to disagree with your reference to the similarity between a professor and a madman. Every profession has members who some might consider mad. It is all a matter of perspective. Professors (no, I am not one) think deeply and that is uncomfortable to people who don't.(less)

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So where and how did the apparently-original, very ableist, title get changed to this more reasonable version? And is this book still retailing under the other title somewhere else?

George One does try to be sensitive, so please explain how "The Surgeon of Crowthorne: a tale of murder, madness & the love of words" is ableist? Let alone m…moreOne does try to be sensitive, so please explain how "The Surgeon of Crowthorne: a tale of murder, madness & the love of words" is ableist? Let alone more so than "The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary", which is the later title?(less)

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Anyone else have trouble getting through this one?

Love Reading Worth reading in the book are Chapters 1, 2, and 4, if you like history. Chapters 6-9 to p. 171 for the meat of the story. Then on page 196 is a note …moreWorth reading in the book are Chapters 1, 2, and 4, if you like history. Chapters 6-9 to p. 171 for the meat of the story. Then on page 196 is a note that Minor wrote to Murray that I found very touching. For me, less personal history and sticking to Minor's contribution to the Oxford English Dictionary would have made the book more agreeable. The book was too long with the last chapters unnecessary and frankly disappointing. (less)

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I would have thought that someone being declared criminally insane 150+ years ago would not be accepted by people today. Does it seem to anyone else that their world is not that far away from ours and could easily happen again?