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The Surgeon Of Crowthorne

Simon Winchester's tale of murder, madness and lexicography. A rich convict's links to the Oxford English Dictionary. From 1998.

A tale of murder, madness and lexicography.

True story about Dr William Chester Minor - a mentally ill American surgeon.

He posted scholarly contributions illustrating the way words were used - to the New English Dictionary (later Oxford English Dictionary) from his rooms in Broadmoor.

Readings by:

John Rowe
Brian Parr

Producer: Jill Waters

First broadcast on 91福利社 Radio 4 in June 1998.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Tue 14 Apr 2026 00:30
91福利社 Radio 4 Extra

Broadcasts

  • Thu 31 Jul 2014 06:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 31 Jul 2014 13:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 31 Jul 2014 20:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 1 Aug 2014 02:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 23 Aug 2017 06:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 23 Aug 2017 13:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 23 Aug 2017 20:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 24 Aug 2017 01:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 14 May 2021 14:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 15 May 2021 02:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 13 Apr 2026 10:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 13 Apr 2026 16:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 14 Apr 2026 00:30
    91福利社 Radio 4 Extra