September 2004 Newsletter

In the last issue of OED News I mentioned the work of our library researchers as being one area of activity which that issue's survey of ‘a day in the life of the OED’ had not covered. I am happy to be able to remedy that omission with Brigid Allen's account of her work in the Bodleian Library. Jeremy Marshall, by contrast, describes the rather more unusual experience of going to court on behalf of the OED.

From time to time this newsletter includes items of news about the OED project itself. The sad death on 5 July of Robert Burchfield, editor of the Supplement to the OED truly marks the end of an era, and warranted something more than a brief news item; the publication of a Supplement of his own seemed a fitting way to celebrate his life and work.

Finally, this is my last issue of OED News as editor. I have greatly enjoyed the last three years; I look forward to enjoying future issues as a reader (and, I hope, occasional contributor). I would like to wish my successor Jemma Best every success.

This newsletter is available to download, as is the R.W. Burchfield Supplement. (To view the file you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader.)