This early work by James Halliwell-Phillipps was originally published in
1852 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory
biography. 'A Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words: Obsolete
Phrases, Proverbs, and Ancient Customs, from the Fourteenth Century -
Volume I.' is a work on the history of the English language and its
development over the centuries. James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps was
born on 21st June 1820, in London, England. Halliwell-Phillipps was
privately educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he became
intensely interested in the subject of antiquarian English literature.
He began publishing works in the field at a very young age, including
editing Sir John Mandeville's 'Travels' (1839), and writing an 'Account
of the European Manuscripts in the Chetham Library' (1842). His love of
literature was accompanied by a passion for all things Shakespearian,
producing several publications on 'The Bard' and his works, such as
'Life of Shakespeare' (1848), 'Curiosities of Modern Shakespeare
Criticism' (1853), and 'The Last Days of William Shakespeare' (1863). He
also took a key role in protecting the historical Shakespearian sites in
Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare's town of birth.