The Professor and the Madman

1. The Professor and the Madman A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Oxford English Dictionary

2. Dr. James Murray is the professor. His tale might not seem too interesting…BUT… He had a mountainous job ahead of him, much larger than he had first envisioned when he accepted the position I am going to tell you about. He was a remarkable man, and you’ll see why!

3. 1896 • Story happens in the small village of Crowthorne, England • Dr. James Murray, author of the Oxford English Dictionary, went to by train for fifty miles (from Oxford) to meet a mysterious man named Dr. W. C. Minor. • This Dr. Minor was the most prominent of the thousands of volunteers to send words to Dr. Murray to help him create the Oxford English Dictionary.

4. Why Didn’t They Meet Before? • For twenty years these two men had corresponded regularly about words and their usage, but they had never met. • Dr. Minor never seemed willing to leave his home at Crowthorne, and never willing to come to Oxford. • He was unable to offer and kind of explanation of why he didn’t travel, only offered his apologies.

5. Why Didn’t Dr. Murray go to Crowthorne? • Dr. Murray was a very busy man compiling the OED (Oxford English Dictionary) and was rarely free himself to travel. • He had lots of work do at the dictionary headquarters (which was called the Scriptorium and it was located in Oxford.) • BUT…he so much wanted to meet and thank his mysterious and intriguing helper.

6. Dr. Murray Decides to Travel… • By the late 1890’s the dictionary was well on its way to being half completed. • Official honors were being showered on all of its creators. • Murray wanted to make sure all those involved, even men as bashful as Dr. Minor, were recognized for the valuable work they had done. • Dr. Murray decided he would finally pay a visit to Crowthorne.

7. Dr. Murray made up his mind to go. • He telegraphed his intentions and reported it would be most convenient to take the train that arrived at Crowthorne station. • Dr. Minor sent a wire back to Dr. Murray to say he was expected and would be made most welcome. • On the journey from Oxford the weather was fine. • At the railway station a polished carriage with a lively coachman was waiting. • They clip-clopped through the lanes. • After 20 minutes they turned up a long drive lined with tall poplar trees and pulled up outside a huge and rather foreboding red-brick mansion.

8. A solemn servant showed Dr. Murray into a booked-lined study. • Behind a mahogany desk, stood a man that was definitely of some importance. • Dr. Murray bowed gravely and launched into the speech he had practiced since he had decided to visit Dr. Minor.

9. “A very good afternoon to you sir. I am Dr. James Murray of Oxford, the Editor of the OED. It is indeed and honor and a privilege to make your acquaintance at long last, Dr. Minor.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There was a brief pause, and a moment of embarrassment. A clock ticked loudly. There were muffled footsteps in the hall and this man cleared his throat and spoke.

10. “I regret, kind sir, that I am not…it is not as you all suppose. I am infact the Governor of the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.” “Dr. Minor is most certainly here, but he is an inmate. He has been a patient here for more that 20 years….he is our longest staying resident!”

11. Dismembered himself • Murdered someone • Sent to Washington, D.C. • Sent to Infirmary in Halifax • I found some items before they tore it down • Mirror is said to be Dr. Minor’s • When you are a loss for words look inside