This is the story of a killer who became one of the greatest contributors to the Oxford English Dictionary. It begins at about 2:00 am on February 17, 1872. Dr. William Chester Minor, a retired American army surgeon, woke in his lodgings convinced that an Irishman had broken into his room. He suffered from severe paranoia and believed enemies were hunting him. He grabbed a revolver and ran into the street. There he saw a man walking to work. George Merrett, 34, was heading for his early shift at a brewery. Minor chased him and fired four shots. Merrett died. Police arrested Minor on the spot. How did a man who killed a stranger end up thanked in the first volume of the dictionary?
The Murderer Who Helped Write the Oxford English Dictionary
An asylum inmate sent over 10,000 quotation slips to the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Chapter 1
A Shot Before Dawn
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Dr. William Chester Minor sent to an asylum instead of prison?
A court found Minor not guilty by reason of insanity after he shot George Merrett in 1872. He suffered from severe paranoia and believed he was being persecuted. He was committed to Broadmoor, where he stayed for 38 years.
What was the Historical Principle behind the Oxford English Dictionary?
The dictionary aimed to give every word a biography. Each entry traced the earliest recorded use and every later change of meaning, proved by quotations from real writing. This relied on volunteer readers supplying evidence rather than on the editor's personal taste.
Did James Murray really not know that Minor was a prisoner?
A popular legend says Murray expected a doctor and was shocked to find a prisoner. Modern research indicates he probably learned of Minor's status shortly before his January 1891 visit. The friendship continued through letters and further visits.
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