Charls Butler

Charl(e)s Butler (c.1559 – 1647), vicar of Wootton St Lawrence (Hants.,), was an English genius, scholar, schoolmaster, grammarian, theologist, naturalist, musical theorist and early proponent of English spelling reform - the earliest on record - whose life spanned the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I.

His book, 'Đe Feminin` Monarķi`' - or 'đe histori of bee`s. Shewing đeir admirable natur`, and propertis; đeir generation and colonis; đeir government, loyalti, art, industri; enemi`s, vvars, magnanimiti, &c. Togeđer with đe riħt ordering of đem from tim` to tim`: and đe sweet` profit arising đer`of. Written out of experienc`' was first published in 1609. It was republished in 1634 the year of the first meeting of the Académie Française. The first edition book was revolutionary for natural history, being the first known natural history of bees, in a century which, in the period starting from his latter years, proved to be arguably the most revolutionary in English history. The third edition of 1634 was also revolutionary for spelling reform, being the earliest recorded publication in a reformed English spelling system.

In his English grammar of the previous year (1633), Butler had condemned the vagaries of traditional English spelling and proposed the adoption of a system whereby 'men should write altogeđer according to đe sound now generally received.'

He also authored a bestselling school textbook, 'The Logic of Ramus,' an introduction to the mould-breaking Renaissance philosophy of martyred French contemporary Pierre de la Ramée.

An early contemporary of Newton, Descartes and Leibniz, Butler is one of the earliest and least known founders and pace-setters of modern science in an era scarred by the effects of superstition.

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