description John Stephen Farmer Overview
John Stephen Farmer was a British lexicographer and author known for his comprehensive work in documenting non-standard English vocabulary. His most significant academic contribution was co-authoring the seven-volume reference work Slang and its Analogues with William Ernest Henley, published between 1890 and 1904. The dictionary systematically cataloged historical and contemporary slang, cant, and colloquialisms, serving as a foundational text for historical linguistics. Farmer also produced separate dictionaries focusing on Americanisms and dialectal English.
help John Stephen Farmer FAQ
What is John Stephen Farmer famous for co-authoring?
John Stephen Farmer was a British lexicographer who co-authored the monumental seven-volume work 'Slang and its Analogues' in the 1890s. This comprehensive dictionary remains a major historical record of English slang.
Who did John Stephen Farmer work with to write 'Slang and its Analogues'?
Farmer collaborated closely with the poet and writer William Ernest Henley to compile the massive dictionary. Henley is also famously known as the author of the inspirational poem 'Invictus.'
Why was Farmer's 'Slang and its Analogues' considered controversial in the 1890s?
The work was highly controversial because it meticulously documented and defined obscene, criminal, and taboo vocabulary that polite Victorian society refused to discuss. To avoid strict obscenity laws, it was originally published privately for subscribers.
Did John Stephen Farmer work on any other notable literary projects?
Yes, apart from his slang dictionaries, Farmer was an accomplished linguist who translated several French historical texts into English. He notably translated the works of the French occultist Éliphas Lévi, helping to introduce continental esotericism to English readers.
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