Peter Gilliver

Peter Gilliver is a British lexicographer and associate editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), known for his extensive contributions to English language documentation and dictionary development. Despite having a mathematics degree from Cambridge, he has dedicated his career to lexicography and has become one of the most respected authorities on the OED's history. At the OED, Gilliver has tackled some of the dictionary's most challenging entries, including the landmark entry for the word "run," which contains 645 meanings for the verb form alone and took over nine months to complete. His expertise in managing complex linguistic entries has made him responsible for several of the dictionary's largest and most comprehensive definitions. In 2016, Gilliver published "The Making of the Oxford English Dictionary," a comprehensive history of the dictionary that required nearly a decade of research and writing. This work stands as the authoritative account of the OED's development and has contributed significantly to the field of lexicographical history. Beyond his lexicographical work, Gilliver has appeared as an expert on various BBC programs, including "Balderdash and Piffle" and "University Challenge: The Professionals," where he served as captain of the Oxford University Press team. He combines his scholarly work with musical pursuits, actively participating in several Oxford choirs.

Readers praise Gilliver's thorough research and attention to detail in "The Making of the Oxford English Dictionary." Multiple reviews note his ability to make complex lexicographical history engaging. One Goodreads reviewer called it "a fascinating deep dive into dictionary making without getting bogged down in minutiae." Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of technical processes - Inclusion of original documents and correspondence - Balance between scholarly depth and readability - Comprehensive coverage of the OED's evolution Common criticisms: - Length (some found 600+ pages excessive) - Dense historical sections - Occasional overemphasis on administrative details Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (67 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 reviews) Several academic reviewers in linguistics journals highlighted the book's value as a reference work. One Amazon reviewer noted: "This could have been dry as dust, but Gilliver's clear writing style and eye for human interest make it surprisingly readable."

The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary (2006) Examines J.R.R. Tolkien's work as a lexicographer for the Oxford English Dictionary and how this influenced his creative writing.

The Making of the Oxford English Dictionary (2016) Chronicles the complete history of the Oxford English Dictionary's creation and development from its beginnings in the 19th century through modern times.

Simon Winchester documented the history of the Oxford English Dictionary in "The Professor and the Madman" and "The Meaning of Everything". His work explores lexicography and dictionary-making through historical narratives that complement Gilliver's academic approach.

David Crystal authored numerous books on the English language and its evolution, including "The Stories of English" and "Words in Time and Place". His focus on language development and etymology mirrors Gilliver's dedication to documenting linguistic change.

Henry Hitchings wrote "The Language Wars" and "The Secret Life of Words," examining the history of English usage debates. His exploration of dictionary history and language controversies provides context similar to Gilliver's work on the OED.

Kory Stamper worked as a lexicographer at Merriam-Webster and wrote "Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries". Her insider perspective on dictionary-making processes parallels Gilliver's expertise in practical lexicography.

Lynda Mugglestone authored "Lost for Words: The Hidden History of the Oxford English Dictionary" and "Lexicography and the OED". Her research into dictionary history and development aligns with Gilliver's scholarly focus on the OED's evolution.