author
George Latimer Apperson
1857–1937
A sharp-eyed collector of language and custom, this English writer turned everyday sayings and old habits into lively, lasting reference books. His work helped preserve the history behind proverbs, social traditions, and the quirks of ordinary life.
1 Audiobook
The Social History of Smoking
by George Latimer Apperson
About the author
George Latimer Apperson was an English school inspector, editor, and literary scholar best known for his work on language and folklore. He served as editor of The Antiquary and also contributed extensively to the Oxford English Dictionary, combining scholarly care with a real interest in how people actually spoke and lived.
Much of his writing explored the stories hidden inside familiar phrases and customs. He is especially remembered for The Dictionary of Proverbs, along with books such as Bygone London Life and The Social History of Smoking, which show his talent for turning careful research into readable, engaging history.
Born in 1857 and dying in 1937, Apperson belonged to a generation of writers who treated everyday culture as something worth saving. His books still appeal to readers who enjoy the history of words, old sayings, and the small details that bring the past to life.