Caught in the Web of Words: James Murray and the Oxford English Dictionary [Paperback]

K.M. Elisabeth Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001 | Series: Nota Bene

This unique and celebrated biography describes how a largely self-educated boy from a small village in Scotland entered the world of scholarship and became the first editor of the Oxford English Dictionary and a great lexicographer. It also provides an absorbing account of how the dictionary was written, the personalities of the people working on it, and the endless difficulties that nearly led to the whole enterprise being abandoned. "It is a magnificent story of a magnificent man, one of the finest biographies of the twentieth century, as its subject was one of the finest human beings of the nineteenth."-Anthony Burgess "A moving and dramatic story . . . sometimes tragic, often comic, ultimately triumphant."-Times (London) "A biography that possesses many of the virtues of James Murray himself-grace, humor, intelligence, curiosity, and scholarship."-Time "In her vivid biography, Murray's granddaughter brings his remarkable personality to life, and provides an unexpectedly fascinating account of the OED's long and difficult birth."-Times Literary Supplement "A gripping, engaging story; endearing, too. The daily round of a big Victorian family, with its jokes, games, and treasured seaside holidays, is entrancingly evoked."-Sunday Times (London)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A biography that possesses many of the virtues of James Murray himself— grace, humor, intelligence, curiosity, and scholarship." -- Time

"A moving and dramatic story . . . sometimes tragic, often comic, ultimately triumphant." -- Times, London

About the Author

K.M. Elisabeth Murray is James Murray's granddaughter and was formerly Principal of Bishop Otter College of Education, Chichester, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 462 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300089198
• ISBN-13: 978-0300089196
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #935,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling account of one of the great Lexicographers, December 30, 1998

By 

K. Patterson (Berkeley, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Caught in the Web of Words: James A. H. Murray and the Oxford English Dictionary (Paperback)

Well, how many books can keep you amused when stuck in limbo flying from the East Coast to San Francisco for two days? This one certainly did.

The author has written an excellent study of the person(s), times, and scholarship devoted to the creation of the great Oxford English Dictionary. This revolutionary work fused burgeoning studies in comparative philology of the English language with the rich tradition of literary history and language found in Johnson's earlier efforts.

Murray, an autodidact from a rich tradition of self-taught scholarship in the Border counties of Scotland, proved to be the perfect man for the gargantuan task of editing the OED. He devoted 40 years of his life to the effort after achieving remarkable personal and academic success in English and Scottish philology.

This is a charming, learned and very readable biography about a man and a masterpiece created to chronical the English language. His family, times and good humor are recorded in this intimate yet scholarly biography. Thank you, Ms. Murray, for letting us into the Scriptorium!

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this is the one that should have been the bestseller, June 18, 2000

By 

M. H. Bayliss "book queen" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Caught in the Web of Words: James A. H. Murray and the Oxford English Dictionary (Paperback)

Finally, days after writing a review of the Madman and theProfessor, I remembered that this was the book that I enjoyed so muchmore. While the author of that book went for the cheesy effects and Victorian tricks, this author concentrated on the making of the dictionary itself and the extraordinary devotion of Murray. It is inspiring to read about people back in those days who really devoted their lives to invention and intellectual pursuits. Once you read the description of the scriptorium and how Murray farmed out assignments to literally thousands of readers, you'll appreciate why the OED is such an important reference work. If not for marketing, this book would be the best seller about the making of the OED. A great read from start to finish.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "J. Murray more major than W.C. Minor", February 27, 2001

By 

Joost Daalder "Joost Daalder" (South Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Caught in the Web of Words: James A. H. Murray and the Oxford English Dictionary (Paperback)

Elizabeth Murray, the granddaughter of James Murray, who was the chief editor of the huge Oxford English Dictionary on which every serious scholar of English continues to depend, has written an excellent biography of the greatest English lexicographer, and done more: she has also given an insight into his personality, and, yet more importantly, into the whole scholarly world of philology, lexicography etc. in Victorian England, and the difficulties which beset the creators of the dictionary. I recommend the biography most highly, and feel that all fans of *The Surgeon of Crowthorne* (chiefly on Dr W.C. Minor) should read this - preferably BEFORE that book (so as to get a sense of context), but otherwise after. - Joost Daalder, Professor of English, Flinders University (see "More about me')