Have you ever heard of an asylum inmate contributing to one of the most comprehensive dictionaries ever compiled? Could the intersection of crime and compassion in the Victorian era give birth to a scholarly pursuit within the confines of an asylum? And how did a murder case become a lasting part of London’s history? Dive into the intriguing tale of Dr. William Chester Minor, Victorian England, and the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary!

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

In the dead of night in 1872, Lambeth Marsh, a notorious and crime-ridden slum in Victorian London, was startled by a rare and shocking sound: gunshots. Amidst the squalor and shadowed alleys, three revolver shots echoed through the cold air, heard by a keen young police constable named Henry Tarrant. 

He raced towards the sound and soon found George Merrett, a stoker at the local Red Lion Brewery, lying mortally wounded on Belvedere Road. As the police and onlookers gathered, the grim realization set in: this wasn't just another street crime; it was an unusual and heinous murder.

The man responsible was quickly apprehended. William Chester Minor, a well-dressed and tall figure with a military bearing, stood calmly holding the smoking revolver. He claimed he had shot the wrong man, thinking Merrett was an intruder. Minor, a former army surgeon from New Haven, Connecticut, had recently moved to Lambeth, a choice later revealed to be influenced by his desires and fears.

As the investigation unfolded, Minor's tragic and complex life came to light. He was suffering from severe mental illness, haunted by delusions of persecution, particularly by the Irish. Before the murder, he had frequently complained to the police about imagined intruders and poisonings. His paranoia had led him to sleep with a loaded revolver under his pillow, a precaution that culminated in the tragic killing of George Merrett.

The trial at Kingston Assizes revealed the full extent of Minor's madness. Witnesses, including a "Bethlem watcher" who had observed Minor's bizarre nocturnal behavior, testified to his delusions and erratic actions. His own stepbrother recounted Minor's persistent accusations of molestation and persecution, stemming from a traumatic incident during his military service.

Despite the undeniable evidence against him, the jury, guided by the McNaughton rules, found Minor not guilty by reason of insanity. The lord chief justice ordered that he be detained "until Her Majesty’s Pleasure be known." This decision led to Minor's lifelong confinement at Broadmoor Asylum for the Criminally Insane, a place where he would become known as Broadmoor File Number 742.

Thus, the tragic story of William Chester Minor and the murder of George Merrett became a lasting part of London’s history, highlighting the complexities of mental illness and the intersection of crime and compassion in the Victorian era.

A Night of Madness: The Tragic Crime of William Chester Minor

The story of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is a fascinating journey of dedication, scholarly rigor, and unexpected partnerships. At the heart of this monumental project are two extraordinary figures: Dr. William Chester Minor, an American murderer, and James Augustus Henry Murray, a Scottish polymath.

James Murray, born in 1837 in a small Scottish town, was a self-taught genius with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. By fifteen, he had mastered multiple languages and developed a profound love for philology—the study of words and their histories. Despite his humble beginnings as the son of a tailor, Murray’s intellectual prowess led him to become a headmaster by twenty and a member of the prestigious Philological Society.

Murray’s life took a tragic turn when his first wife, Maggie, fell ill and their infant daughter died. Forced to move to London for Maggie's health, Murray found himself working as a bank clerk. Yet, his passion for learning never waned. He taught himself new languages during his commute and lectured on diverse topics, from phonetics to the architecture of the human body.

Murray’s fortunes changed when he met Frederick Furnivall, a brilliant but eccentric scholar who introduced him to the world of serious philological scholarship. This connection eventually led Murray to a fateful meeting in 1878 with the Delegates of the Oxford University Press. They proposed that he lead the creation of the OED, a project aiming to catalog the entire English language with unprecedented thoroughness.

Meanwhile, Dr. William Chester Minor, a Yale-educated surgeon, found himself embroiled in tragedy and violence. After serving in the American Civil War, Minor struggled with severe mental illness, leading him to commit a murder in London. He was confined to the Broadmoor Asylum but retained access to books and started contributing to the OED from his cell. His meticulous work on word definitions and quotations became invaluable to Murray and the OED team.

Despite their vastly different circumstances, Murray and Minor's lives became intertwined through their contributions to the OED. Murray’s relentless dedication and Minor’s unexpected yet crucial assistance exemplify the collaborative spirit that underpinned the creation of this unparalleled linguistic resource.

The OED’s rigorous method of using quotations to illustrate word meanings was revolutionary. It allowed the dictionary to capture the evolution of words over time, showcasing the richness and complexity of the English language. Though the project faced numerous challenges, including its immense scope and the evolving nature of the language, it was completed and published in 1928. 

Today, the OED is revered not just as a dictionary but as a monumental work of literature and scholarship. It continues to be an essential reference, celebrated for its historical depth and linguistic precision, a testament to the extraordinary efforts of James Murray, William Chester Minor, and countless others who contributed to its creation.

From Convict to Contributor: The Extraordinary Tale of the Oxford English Dictionary

In the lush, tropical paradise of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, young William Chester Minor grew up amid cinnamon, coconut, and the playful, carefree village girls. Born to American missionaries in 1834, Minor's early life in this Eden-like setting was idyllic but marked by tragedy, including his mother’s death when he was just three.

At thirteen, Minor was sent to New Haven to live with his uncle, a move that removed him from the tropical temptations that had begun to stir his adolescent desires. He thrived academically, eventually studying medicine at Yale. By 1863, Minor had graduated and joined the Union army as a surgeon during the Civil War.

The Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864 would be a turning point for Minor. Thrust into a landscape of horrific carnage and chaos, he faced not only the brutal reality of war but also the fearsome task of branding an Irish deserter, a punishment that haunted him. This experience, coupled with the savagery of the battlefield, likely sparked the latent madness that would define his later years.

Following the war, Minor’s behavior grew increasingly erratic. His assignments took him from New York to Florida, where he began to exhibit paranoia and delusions. His mental health deteriorated, and by 1868, he was diagnosed with monomania and declared delusional.

Minor was institutionalized but later released, maintaining his rank and pension. Seeking peace, he traveled to London in 1871, hoping to find solace in art and culture. Despite his efforts, the shadows of his past followed him. He arrived in London with his books, paints, and a gun, setting the stage for the next chapter of his troubled life.

Did the Haunted Surgeon of the Civil War Find Solace in London?

On a foggy November evening in 1857, the elite of London gathered at the prestigious London Library in St. James’s Square. This library, housed in a grand building and surrounded by the aristocratic homes of bishops, peers, and members of Parliament, was a hub for intellectuals. Among them were the members of the Philological Society, who met to discuss lofty academic pursuits.

That evening, Dr. Richard Chenevix Trench, the Dean of Westminster, delivered a lecture that would spark a remarkable series of events. Trench and his fellow society members believed in the divine spread of the English language, equating its global reach with the spread of Christianity. They saw the English language as the world’s dominant tongue, a tool for imperial and religious unity.

At the heart of their discussion was the inadequacy of existing dictionaries. Trench argued that these dictionaries suffered from serious flaws, potentially detrimental to the empire and the church. At that time, dictionaries were a relatively new concept. Shakespeare, for instance, had no comprehensive reference to check his language, relying instead on his vast vocabulary and creative genius.

In the 17th century, dictionaries focused on “hard words,” often filled with pretentious and obscure terms. It wasn’t until Samuel Johnson’s monumental work in the 18th century that a truly comprehensive English dictionary emerged. 

Johnson, a towering literary figure, took on the herculean task of cataloging the English language. His dictionary, published in 1755, was a triumph of scholarship, defining words with wit and precision. Johnson’s work included definitions that were both charming and insightful, like his description of an elephant or his humorous take on oats.

Johnson’s dictionary set a new standard, but it wasn’t without critics. Some found his definitions inconsistent, while others criticized his etymology. Despite this, his work was celebrated globally, influencing lexicography for generations.

Dr. Trench’s lecture in 1857 highlighted the continued need for an ever-evolving and comprehensive dictionary. The Philological Society, inspired by Johnson’s legacy, aimed to further this mission. Their discussions and efforts laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Oxford English Dictionary, a project that would define the English language for the modern era.

From Trench to Triumph: The Genesis of the Oxford English Dictionary

The journey of creating the ultimate English dictionary is a tale of ambition, innovation, and perseverance. It all began on Guy Fawkes Day in 1857, when Richard Chenevix Trench, an esteemed Victorian divine, delivered a speech at the London Library. 

His topic, "On Some Deficiencies in Our English Dictionaries," highlighted the need for a comprehensive lexicon that would catalog every word and its history, rather than dictating proper usage. Trench's vision was revolutionary: a dictionary assembled by a vast network of volunteers who would scour literature for examples of word usage.

Despite initial enthusiasm, the project faced numerous challenges. The Philological Society of London, spearheaded by Trench, Frederick Furnivall, and Herbert Coleridge, aimed to create a supplement to existing dictionaries. However, they soon realized the enormity of the task, as volunteers unearthed more words than anticipated. Coleridge, the first editor, underestimated the workload, believing the first volume would be ready in two years. Tragically, he died young, having barely scratched the surface.

Furnivall took over but struggled to maintain momentum. Volunteers dwindled, and the project stagnated. Enter James Murray, a scholar with a passion for language. By 1878, Murray was persuaded to lead the effort, and after much deliberation, Oxford University Press agreed to publish the dictionary. Murray's systematic approach involved building a corrugated iron shed, the Scriptorium, at Mill Hill School, where he meticulously organized the millions of quotation slips sent by volunteers.

Murray's appeal for more volunteers reached far and wide, including to Broadmoor Asylum for the Criminally Insane. There, William Chester Minor, a Yale graduate and inmate, found solace in contributing to the dictionary. His meticulous work provided invaluable citations, illustrating the power of collaborative effort in achieving a monumental goal.

The "big dictionary," later known as the Oxford English Dictionary, took 70 years to complete, far longer than the six years Samuel Johnson needed for his dictionary. Yet, it stands as a testament to the dedication and vision of countless individuals who believed in capturing the full breadth and depth of the English language.

How Did a Criminally Insane Inmate Help Shape the Oxford English Dictionary?

In the shadow of Victorian England, Dr. William Chester Minor, a learned yet troubled man, found himself shackled and delivered to Broadmoor Asylum, a foreboding place. Accused of the cold-blooded murder of George Merrett, Minor was deemed not guilty by reason of insanity and branded "Dangerous to Others." Transported to Broadmoor by steam train and landau, Minor arrived to a grim welcome, his future confined within the asylum's red-brick walls.

Broadmoor, built to relieve the overcrowded Bedlam asylum, was a place where the severity of imprisonment mingled with a hope for treatment. Here, Minor, a former American army surgeon with a comfortable pension, was eventually placed in Block 2, also known as the "swell block," reserved for more genteel inmates. 

His two connecting cells became a haven, filled with books, drawing materials, and even a small collection of wines. Minor's refined tastes and financial means allowed him to transform his space into a scholar's retreat.

Despite his comfortable surroundings, Minor's mind remained a battlefield of delusions. He barricaded his door at night, convinced that intruders poisoned him and forced him into indecent acts. His paranoia escalated, but his scholarly inclinations also flourished. He painted, played the flute, and immersed himself in his ever-growing library.

In a remarkable twist, Minor reached out to Eliza Merrett, the widow of his victim, seeking to make amends. Against all odds, she agreed to visit him, and their meetings led to an unexpected arrangement: Eliza would bring him books from London. Through these deliveries, Minor stumbled upon James Murray's appeal for volunteers to work on the new Oxford English Dictionary.

Responding eagerly, Minor began his legendary contributions to the dictionary from within the asylum walls. Murray, receiving Minor's letters from "Broadmoor, Crowthorne, Berkshire," assumed he was a retired doctor with time to spare, never suspecting the extraordinary truth behind his new American correspondent.

Thus, in the confines of Broadmoor, a place synonymous with madness, Minor's scholarly passion found a new purpose, intertwining his tragic life with the monumental task of creating the Oxford English Dictionary.

From Asylum to Dictionary: The Astonishing Journey of Dr. William Chester Minor

In the late 19th century, a meticulous set of instructions arrived from James Murray, editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, to an unlikely recipient: Dr. William Minor, a patient at Broadmoor Asylum. This letter was not just a guide for dictionary contributors; it was a symbol of Minor’s reconnection with society, a lifeline back to the world of scholarship after years of isolation.

Eliza Merrett’s visits had already hinted at forgiveness and acceptance, and Murray’s letter reinforced this. Minor, a man in his fifties, had suffered from intellectual isolation and imprisonment, but now he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The task was monumental—gathering hundreds of thousands of quotations from literature—but Minor, armed with his extensive library and a passion for books, was undeterred.

Murray’s instructions were detailed: quotations were to be noted on half sheets of paper, with the catchword at the top left, followed by the date, author, title, page number, and the full text of the quote. Volunteers were encouraged to find quotations for every word, with special attention to rare or obsolete words, and even common ones if they were used in interesting ways.

Minor approached this task with a unique method. From his library-cell, he created detailed lists of words from each book, writing them in tiny, precise letters. He meticulously indexed these words, ensuring that he could provide the exact quotations needed by the dictionary editors. His work was so thorough and accurate that it soon earned the admiration of Murray’s team.

For twenty years, Minor dedicated himself to this task, his books becoming his most precious possession. He read and indexed book after book, sending quotations to the Scriptorium as needed. His first test came when the editors requested quotations for the word "art." Minor’s efficient and precise response marked the beginning of his invaluable contribution to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Despite his confinement, Minor’s work bridged the gap between his isolated world and the broader world of learning, making him an indispensable part of one of the greatest linguistic projects in history.

Did an Asylum Patient Help Create the Oxford English Dictionary?

In 1885, the Broadmoor post room began receiving neat slips of paper from Dr. William Minor, a peculiar but meticulous contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary project. These slips, covered in Minor's distinct American handwriting, soon became a torrent, much to the relief of editor James Murray and his team who had relocated to Oxford. 

Murray, who had left a comfortable teaching job for the poorly paid and arduous task of lexicography, found solace in the dictionary's incremental progress despite facing numerous challenges, including slow work pace, health issues, and parsimonious support from the Press delegates.

The first fascicle of the dictionary, covering A to Ant, was published in January 1884, marking a significant milestone. The initial word was "aa," an obsolete noun meaning a stream, followed by "aal," a plant-related term, and then "aardvark," a peculiar African mammal. This intricate work involved organizing thousands of quotation slips, defining words by class and differentiation, and ensuring clarity and accessibility, a painstaking process that often led to long, contemplative hours of rearranging slips like chess pieces.

Dr. Minor's contribution was invaluable. Despite his confinement in Broadmoor Asylum due to his severe mental illness, Minor's detailed and prolific submissions, such as twenty-seven quotations for "art," were a treasure trove for the dictionary team. His work continued for decades, encompassing a variety of words from "buckwheat" to "brick-tea."

Minor's correspondence with Murray reflected his desperate desire for involvement and validation, despite his deteriorating mental state. His obsession with the meticulous task of lexicography provided a semblance of purpose amid his delusions and paranoia. 

The dictionary staff, while appreciative, were puzzled by Minor's reclusiveness and prolific output. The mystery of his identity and circumstances was revealed in a surprising manner when a visiting scholar casually referred to Minor as "poor Dr. Minor," leaving Murray and his team astonished by the true nature of their brilliant yet troubled contributor.

Dr. William Minor: The Mad Genius Behind the Oxford English Dictionary

In October 1897, Oxford was abuzz with excitement. The dictionary project, which had been progressing slowly for years, was now moving along swiftly. Queen Victoria herself had graciously approved the latest volume, and a grand dinner was planned to celebrate this monumental achievement. The dinner was to honor James Murray, the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, and was held in the grand hall at Queen's College.

The event was lavish, with tables adorned with flowers and the finest silverware. The menu was a mix of traditional English fare and French delicacies, accompanied by excellent wines. Distinguished guests, including dictionary editors, members of the Philological Society, and dedicated volunteer readers, gathered for the occasion. Among these volunteers were two notable Americans: Dr. Fitzedward Hall and Dr. William Chester Minor. Both had made significant contributions to the dictionary, yet neither attended the dinner.

Dr. Fitzedward Hall’s story was peculiar. A scholar who had spent years in India studying Sanskrit, he had a major falling out with a fellow scholar, leading him to retreat into a hermit-like existence in Suffolk, England. Despite his reclusiveness, he remained a vital contributor to the dictionary, corresponding with Murray for two decades without ever meeting him.

Dr. William Chester Minor’s absence was more mysterious. Living just an hour away in Crowthorne, Minor had always been polite in his letters. His failure to attend sparked curiosity and led Murray to finally decide to visit him. Murray's journey took him to the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, where he was astonished to learn that Minor was an inmate. 

Despite his confinement, Minor had become one of the dictionary’s most prolific contributors. Murray and Minor eventually met and developed a close friendship, bound by their shared love of words. They met regularly, discussing lexical entries and sharing tea, yet always within the confines of the asylum’s walls.

Their story, though sensationalized by an American journalist named Hayden Church, captivated the public. Church’s embellished account, which portrayed Murray’s surprise visit to the asylum, became part of the dictionary’s lore. While not entirely accurate, it highlighted the extraordinary contributions of Dr. Minor, whose dedication from within the asylum walls played a crucial role in the creation of the OED.

The friendship between Murray and Minor continued for years, marked by mutual respect and a deep bond over their scholarly pursuits. This unique collaboration, born out of the most unlikely circumstances, remains one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Did You Know the Oxford English Dictionary Was Shaped by an Inmate and a Scholar Hermit?

On December 3, 1902, a panicked note surfaced at Broadmoor Asylum, revealing that William Minor had cut off his penis in a desperate attempt to curb his perceived sinful desires. This drastic measure was likely driven by a combination of profound religious fervor and intense guilt over his sexual fantasies and past actions.

Minor's life at Broadmoor was a blend of isolation and scholarly pursuits, punctuated by visits from James Murray, a devout Christian and the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, who unintentionally rekindled Minor's religious beliefs. This newfound faith, however, turned punitive, leading Minor to view his sexual urges as a dire sin that required severe purging.

The act of self-amputation, performed with a penknife, was a desperate attempt to satisfy a vengeful deity and eliminate his sexual drives. Despite the horrifying nature of the act, Minor's medical knowledge allowed him to execute it with minimal blood loss. His subsequent recovery was marked by a return to his irritable yet scholarly self, but the psychological scars and diminishing health left him a shadow of his former self.

In the years following, Minor's condition continued to deteriorate, and his privileges at Broadmoor were gradually stripped away, culminating in a forced move to the asylum infirmary. His once active mind was now consumed by old age and infirmities, leading to a quiet, pitiable existence.

In 1910, a glimmer of hope emerged. Winston Churchill, then Home Secretary, signed a warrant for Minor's conditional discharge, allowing him to return to America. James Murray, along with his wife, bid an emotional farewell to the frail and elderly Minor. On April 16, 1910, Minor left England, accompanied by his brother Alfred, and sailed back to the United States, where he was admitted to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C.

The journey marked the end of a long and tortured chapter in Minor's life. Despite the melancholy and madness that had dominated his years at Broadmoor, his departure was a small victory, a return to his homeland, and a final escape from the shadows of his tormented mind.

The Scholar's Descent: William Minor's Battle with Madness and Redemption

In 1910, the eminent lexicographer Frederick Furnivall passed away, having spent his final days contributing to the Oxford English Dictionary. Despite his terminal illness, he remained dedicated to his work, sending words and newspaper clippings to the editor, James Murray. Furnivall's death marked a somber moment for the OED team, but the monumental task of compiling the dictionary continued.

James Murray, the driving force behind the OED, faced his own health challenges. His relentless pursuit of completing the dictionary saw him working tirelessly until his death in 1915. Murray's efforts, however, were not in vain, as the dictionary was eventually completed, with the final announcement made on New Year's Eve, 1927.

One of the most intriguing contributors to the OED was Dr. William Chester Minor, an American Civil War veteran who had been confined to an asylum for the criminally insane after committing a murder. Minor's condition, diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenia, led him to believe in bizarre delusions. Despite his illness, Minor found solace and purpose in contributing thousands of illustrative quotations to the dictionary.

Minor's tragic story is intertwined with the history of the OED. His condition, now understood as schizophrenia, was poorly treated at the time. Perhaps if modern treatments had been available, Minor might not have contributed so significantly to the dictionary. His work on the OED served as a form of therapy, providing him with a measure of release from his paranoia.

The completion of the OED was a monumental achievement, involving countless contributors and spanning several decades. It remains one of the greatest accomplishments in English literature, a testament to the dedication and perseverance of those involved, including the tormented yet brilliant Dr. Minor.

Did Schizophrenia Help Shape the Oxford English Dictionary?

The creation of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is a remarkable tale that intertwines the lives of two extraordinary figures, Dr. William Chester Minor and James Augustus Henry Murray. Minor, an American former army surgeon, was incarcerated in Broadmoor Asylum for the Criminally Insane after committing a murder, spurred by his severe mental illness. Despite his confinement, he made substantial contributions to the OED project from his cell, providing meticulous word definitions and quotations. 

On the other hand, Murray, a Scottish polymath, was a self-taught genius with a passion for philology who led the creation of the OED. Despite facing numerous challenges, including the immense scope of the project and the evolving nature of the language, the dictionary was completed and published in 1928. 

The OED's revolutionary method of illustrating word meanings through quotations captured the evolution of the English language like never before. Minor’s contributions, sent from within the confines of Broadmoor, were pivotal. His detailed submissions were a trove of linguistic treasure that Murray and his team relied on heavily.

The story also highlights the complexities of mental illness and the intersection of crime and compassion in the Victorian era, particularly through the tragic life of William Chester Minor. Despite his paranoia and delusions, Minor's contributions to the OED exemplify the collaborative spirit that underpinned the creation of this unparalleled linguistic resource. 

Today, the OED is celebrated for its historical depth and linguistic precision, a testament to the extraordinary efforts of James Murray, William Chester Minor, and countless others who contributed to its creation.

Home

Trending Books

News & Mags

Relax

Curated

Collections

Key Ideas & Notes

Insights

Highlights & Bookmarks

Listening History

Key Ideas

#1