Michael Samuels (academic)
Encyclopedia
Michael Louis Samuels was a British
historical linguist, responsible for the Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary.
(1925-2011). His was an orthodox Jewish
upbringing, but he later said he was an atheist.
He studied at St Paul's school, and Balliol College, Oxford
, initially to study classics, but graduating with first-class honours in English in 1947, after wartime service with the Air Ministry
. In 1950 he married Hilary, and they had a daughter Vivien.
His academic career began with a research fellowship at the University of Birmingham
followed by a lectureship at Edinburgh University. He became Professor of English Language at Glasgow University in 1959, staying until his retirement in 1990.
After this academic retirement he continued to work, especially on the Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary, a project he had begun in 1965, and which was eventually published in October 2009. He died 24 November 2010 and was survived by his wife, daughter and sister.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
historical linguist, responsible for the Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Life
Samuels was born 14 September 1920 in London, the son of Harry Samuels Karlin, and Céline Aronowitz: his sister was actress Miriam KarlinMiriam Karlin
Miriam Karlin, OBE was a British actress who worked on screen for over 60 years. She was best known for her role as Paddy in The Rag Trade, a 1960s BBC and 1970s LWT sitcom , especially for her catchphrase "Everybody out!"...
(1925-2011). His was an orthodox Jewish
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
upbringing, but he later said he was an atheist.
He studied at St Paul's school, and Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, initially to study classics, but graduating with first-class honours in English in 1947, after wartime service with the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
. In 1950 he married Hilary, and they had a daughter Vivien.
His academic career began with a research fellowship at the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
followed by a lectureship at Edinburgh University. He became Professor of English Language at Glasgow University in 1959, staying until his retirement in 1990.
After this academic retirement he continued to work, especially on the Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary, a project he had begun in 1965, and which was eventually published in October 2009. He died 24 November 2010 and was survived by his wife, daughter and sister.
Works
- Samuels, M. L., (1972) Linguistic Evolution: with special reference to English Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-08385-0
- McIntosh, Angus, Samuels, M.L. and Benskin, Michael, (1986) A Linguistic Atlas of Late Medieval English Aberdeen: University Press