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BOOTT, DAVID (1766-1846),
author of an ‘Analytical Dictionary of the English Language,’ was born
at Kennetles, Forfarshire, on 9 Feb. 1766. He was almost entirely
self-taught, the whole amount paid by his father for his instruction
being eighteen-pence for one quarter at the parish school. In early life
he was engaged in business, and for some years was occupant of a brewery
at Woodside, near Newburgh, Fifeshire. Although the undertaking was not
unsuccessful, his interest in intellectual matters induced him to retire
from it to become schoolmaster at Newburgh. Shortly before 1820 he
removed to London, where, besides being engaged in general literature,
he for several years superintended for the press the publications of the
Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. In 1818 he published
‘Tables of Simple Interest on a new Plan of Arrangement,’ and in 1821
‘The Tradesman, Merchant, and Accountant’s Assistant, being Tables for
Business in general on a new Plan of Arrangement.’ His practical
knowledge of brewing he also turned to account by writing for the Useful
Knowledge Society ‘The Art of Brewing,’ 1829, and ‘The Art of
Wine-making in all its Branches, to which is added an Appendix
concerning Cider and Perry,’ 1834. The latter volume contains a
description of the brewer’s saccharometer, of which he was the inventor.
In 1806 he had published an ‘Introduction to an Analytical Dictionary of
the English Language.’ Circumstances did not permit him for some years
to proceed further with the work, but in 1831 he brought out ‘Principles
of English Composition,’ the second, third, and fourth chapters of which
were reprinted from the ‘Introduction to the Analytical Dictionary;’ and
in 1837 he published ‘Principles of English Grammar.’ The first volume
of the dictionary, the only one published, appeared in 1835. Its special
characteristics he stated to be that ‘the words are explained in the
order of their affinity, independent of alphabetical arrangement; and
the signification of each is traced from its etymology, the present
meaning being accounted for when it differs from its former acceptation,
the whole exhibiting in one connected narrative the origin, history, and
modern usages of the existing vocabulary of the English tongue.’ An idea
of Booth’s method of arrangement may be gathered from the following list
of the first twelve words in their order of succession: Microcosm, man,
wife, woman, male, female, masculine, feminine, human, baron, virility,
virtue. While the work displays much ingenuity, and contains some
curious information, it is marred in some respects by imperfect
knowledge and hasty generalisation. The other works of Booth include
‘Observations on the English Jury Laws in Criminal Cases, with respect
to the distinction between unanimous verdicts, and verdicts by a
majority,’ 1833, strongly condemnatory of the ‘unanimous verdict’
system; ‘A Letter to Rev. T. R. Malthus, being an answer to his
criticism of Mr. Godwin’s work on population; and 'Eura and
Zephyra, a classical Tale, with poetical Pieces.’ He died at Balgonie
Mills, Fifeshire, on 5 Dec. 1845. He received a grant of 50/. from the
Royal Bounty Fund, and, it is said, was also relieved by the Literary
Fund Society. Booth is thus characterised in 'Memoirs’ of Dr. Robert
Blakey: One of the most extraordinary personages I have met for some
time. He is not, I believe, five feet high, of very dark visage, eyes
very red and watery, and presenting altogether an impish and fiendish
look. He was, however, very kind.’ [Gent. Mag. new series, xxvii. 322-3
; Conolly’s Diet, of Eminent Men of Fife, p. 70; Memoirs of Dr. Robert
Blakey (1879), pp. 75-7.] |
