Sherwin Cody

Born in Michigan in 1868, Sherwin Cody was an American writer, editor, translator, and businessman who became widely known for his home-study courses in English. He believed language should be taught in a practical, conversational way, and he reached a huge audience through mail-order instruction and memorable ads that asked, "Do You Make These Mistakes in English?"

Cody wrote and edited a wide range of books, including collections of literature and guides to speaking and writing. He was also a critic of traditional English teaching, arguing that many school methods made the subject harder and less natural than it needed to be.

His work sits at an interesting crossroads between education, publishing, and advertising. More than just a grammar instructor, he was one of the early popularizers of self-improvement through reading and self-study, and his influence lasted well into the 20th century.