The Dictionary People Audiobook By Sarah Ogilvie cover art

The Dictionary People

The Unsung Heroes Who Created the Oxford English Dictionary

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The Dictionary People

By: Sarah Ogilvie
Narrated by: Joan Walker, Sarah Ogilvie
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Brought to you by Penguin.

**LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024**

What do three murderers, Karl Marx's daughter and a vegetarian vicar have in common?
They all helped create the Oxford English Dictionary.

The Oxford English Dictionary has long been associated with elite institutions and Victorian men. But the Dictionary didn't just belong to the experts; it relied on contributions from members of the public. By 1928, its 414,825 entries had been crowdsourced from a surprising and diverse group of people, from astronomers to murderers, naturists, pornographers, suffragists and queer couples.

Lexicographer Sarah Ogilvie dives deep into previously untapped archives to tell a people's history of the OED. Here, she reveals, for the first time, the full story of the making of one of the most famous books in the world - and celebrates the extraordinary efforts of the Dictionary People.


‘Unmissable’ Stephen Fry
'A delight' Katherine Rundell
‘Illuminating’ Susie Dent
'Brilliant' Philippa Perry
'Enthralling' Jeanette Winterson
'An astonishing book' Sunday Times

** A Financial Times, TLS and Daunt Books Book of the Year **

©2023 Sarah Ogilvie (P)2023 Penguin Audio

 Historical Social Sciences
All stars
Most relevant  
I went in with so much expectations for this book and was pleased/disappointed in unexpected ways.

I enjoyed reading about the broad, diverse people who contributed, some with almost a sense of public service, and the collective excitement in participating in such a big project. I particularly enjoyed the stories of autodidacts, and upper class women with no meaningful outlets for their education. Influenced by the novels of some of the individuals, however, I went in expecting more depth, and was disappointed with the short, dictionary-entry style chapters.

As I New Zealander, I wished the reader took an hour, half an hour, to learn the pronunciation of Maori words. It was so painful to the ears, hinting at the colonial view of the outposts that may have existed at the time. Which, I think, is contrary to the Australian author's intent.

One thing is for sure; this book is a terrific source for writers looking for interesting lives to mine.

An interesting, big-picture story

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