author
James Elphinston
1721–1809
An energetic Scottish teacher and language reformer, he spent much of his life trying to make English spelling and pronunciation more logical. He was also a friend of Samuel Johnson and a prolific writer on grammar, education, and verse.
1 Audiobook
A Minniature ov Inglish Orthoggraphy
by James Elphinston
About the author
Born in Edinburgh in 1721, James Elphinston became known as a Scottish educator, grammarian, and advocate of spelling reform. He studied at the High School and University of Edinburgh, then worked as a tutor before building his career in and around London.
Elphinston is remembered for his determined efforts to reshape English spelling so it matched spoken sound more closely. His books on grammar, pronunciation, and language earned him a reputation as an original, sometimes controversial thinker who cared deeply about how English was taught and written.
He also moved in notable literary circles and was a friend of Samuel Johnson. Elphinston continued writing late into life and died at Hammersmith in 1809, leaving behind the picture of a learned, stubbornly independent scholar devoted to language.