James Murray (lexicographer)

James Murray (1837-1915) was a Scottish lexicographer and philologist, best known as the primary editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) from 1879 until his death.

Born James Augustus Murray in Denholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland, he was a self-taught scholar with an exceptional aptitude for languages. He began his career as a schoolteacher, later becoming a bank clerk. Throughout his life, he pursued his passion for philology, contributing to various linguistic societies and publications.

In 1879, Murray was appointed editor of the New English Dictionary on Historical Principles, later known as the Oxford English Dictionary. This monumental project aimed to trace the history of every word in the English language from its earliest recorded use.

Murray's meticulous approach and tireless dedication were crucial to the OED's development. He established a system for collecting and organizing millions of quotations from a vast network of volunteer readers. He worked primarily from the Scriptorium, a purpose-built corrugated iron building in his backyard.

Despite the immense scale of the undertaking, Murray oversaw the publication of the first volume of the OED in 1884 and continued to edit the dictionary until his death in 1915, reaching the word "Tragedy." His work was subsequently continued by other editors.

Murray's contributions to lexicography are profound and enduring. The Oxford English Dictionary, a testament to his scholarship and dedication, remains a definitive and indispensable resource for the study of the English language.