The Man who Made Lists: Love, Death, Madness, and the Creation of Roget's ThesaurusThe extraordinary true story of Peter Mark Roget and his legendary Thesaurus. Peter Mark Roget-polymath, eccentric, synonym aficionado-was a complicated man. He was an eminent scholar who absorbed himself in his work, yet he also possessed an allure that endeared him to his mentors and colleagues-not to mention a host of female admirers. But, most notably, Roget made lists. From the age of eight, he kept these lists with the intention of ordering the chaotic world around him. After his father's death, his mother became, at once, overbearing and despondent. Soon, his sister would also descend into mental illness. Despite these tragedies, Roget lived a colorful life full of unexpected twists and discoveries-including narrowly avoiding jail in Napoleon's France, assisting famed physician Thomas Beddoes by personally testing the effects of laughing gas, and inventing the slide rule. Evocative and entertaining, The Man Who Made Lists lets readers join Roget on his worldly adventures and emotional journeys. This rich narrative explores the power of words and the everlasting legacy of a rediscovered genius. |
Contents
Preface | 1 |
Stained by the Blood of a National Hero | 9 |
Part One Formations 17791808 | 19 |
The Brilliant Student | 53 |
The Idle and Depressed Young Man | 83 |
Napoleons Captive | 111 |
Both the Thesaurus and a Medical Career Begun | 145 |
Part Two Bloomsbury Doctor Inventor | 179 |
Mary | 211 |
Mourning Scholarly Triumph and a Secret New Love | 233 |
Other editions - View all
The Man Who Made Lists: Love, Death, Madness, and the Creation of Roget's ... Joshua Kendall No preview available - 2009 |
The Man Who Made Lists: Love, Death, Madness, and the Creation of Roget's ... Joshua Kendall No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
animals Annette appeared arranged attended became began beginning Bentham boys British brother called Catherine century classes considered couple course death decade described Dumont early Edinburgh edition England English eventually example father feel felt final French Geneva hand head ideas interest Jane John Kate knowledge known language late later Latin lectures letter Library lists literary living London looked Manchester Mark Mary meeting mind months morning mother move natural never noted observed once Paris Peter Philips published referred remained rest Roget Romilly Royal Samuel Samuel Romilly scientific side sister Society soon stay Stewart Street studies synonyms Thesaurus thought tion took town Treatise turned uncle University walk weeks wife write written wrote young