author
Francis Grose
d. 1791
An English antiquary, draughtsman, and lexicographer, he had a gift for making the past vivid and entertaining. He is especially remembered for richly illustrated books on British antiquities and for collecting slang, local sayings, and popular superstitions.
1 Audiobook
1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
by Francis Grose
About the author
Born around 1731, Francis Grose became known for his lively way of recording the old buildings, ruins, and customs of Britain. His best-known projects include The Antiquities of England and Wales and The Antiquities of Scotland, works that paired drawings with accessible commentary for general readers.
He also had a lasting influence on the history of language. His Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue gathered slang and informal expressions, while A Provincial Glossary collected regional words, proverbs, and beliefs that might otherwise have been lost.
Grose died in 1791 while in Dublin, where he had been working on material connected with Irish antiquities. His books remain appealing because they mix curiosity, humor, and careful observation, giving modern readers a window into everyday language and the physical past.