The spelling of "Frederick James Furnivall" may seem daunting at first, but it can be broken down using International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The first name, Frederick, is pronounced /ˈfrɛdrɪk/, with the "e" being pronounced as "eh". James is pronounced /dʒeɪmz/, with the "a" having a long "a" sound. Furnivall is pronounced /fɜːrnɪvəl/, with the emphasis being on the second syllable. By breaking down the word using IPA, the spelling of Frederick James Furnivall becomes much clearer.
Frederick James Furnivall (1825-1910) was an English philologist and editor, best known for his significant contributions to Victorian-era lexicography and textual criticism. He was born in Egham, Surrey, England, and earned a reputation as a dedicated scholar and linguist.
Furnivall was the co-founder and one of the key organizers of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), one of the most comprehensive and influential dictionaries of the English language. As a member of the Philological Society, Furnivall recognized the need for a comprehensive lexicon that could capture the historical development, usage, and etymology of every word in the English language. This led to his collaboration with other linguists and scholars to embark on the monumental task of compiling the OED.
Apart from his work on the OED, Furnivall was also involved in the editing and publishing of various medieval and Middle English texts, thereby contributing to the field of textual criticism. He founded several publications such as the Early English Text Society, which aimed to make rare and important manuscripts accessible to a wider audience.
Despite being known for his considerable achievements in the field of lexicography, Furnivall was not without controversy. He was known for his confrontational and eccentric personality, often engaging in spirited debates and making unconventional assertions. However, his dedication to scholarly pursuits and his monumental contributions to the study of English language and literature leave an enduring legacy.