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Madeline Kripke

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Madeline Faith Kripke (September 9, 1943 – April 25, 2020) was a book collector who held one of the world's largest collections of dictionaries.[1]

Early life and education

Madeline Kripke was born on September 9, 1943 in New London, Connecticut to mother Dorothy Karp Kripke and father Myer S. Kripke, a rabbi. Kripke's brother was philosopher Saul Kripke,[1] and her sister was Netta Kripke Stern.[2] She graduated with a bachelor's in English from Barnard College.[1]

Dictionary collection and career

In fifth grade, she recalled receiving a Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary from her parents, which she said "unlocked the world for me".[3] Kripke acquired a collection of approximately 20,000 dictionaries in her two-bedroom apartment. The oldest dictionary in her collection was a Latin dictionary published in 1502 by Ambrogio Calepino.[3] She placed a special emphasis on collecting dictionaries regarding obscure slang.[4] Her collection includes the only known copy of Larks of London (1840), a dictionary of slang from the London underworld. Jesse Sheidlower described her collection as better than that of the Library of Congress.[5] After her death, it was unclear what would become of the collection.[1]

After graduating from college, Kripke held several jobs, including as a welfare case worker and a teacher. She eventually became an editor and a publisher, doing copyediting and proofreading. She also worked at several bookstores, eventually becoming a book dealer.[3]

Death

Kripke died on April 25, 2020 due to complications of COVID-19.[1]

Awards and honors

Kripke was a member of the Dictionary Society of North America and received their Richard W. Bailey Award for Distinguished Service to Lexicography and Lexicology in 2017.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Roberts, Sam (30 April 2020). "Madeline Kripke, Doyenne of Dictionaries, Is Dead at 76". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  2. ^ Martin, Douglas (3 May 2014). "Rabbi Myer Kripke, Early Buffett Friend and Investor, Dies at 100". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Krieger, Daniel (15 August 2013). "The Dame of Dictionaries". Narratively. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  4. ^ Lubovich, Wendy (9 June 2016). "Inside a Book Editor's Legendary Home Library". The Cut. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  5. ^ Robinson, Sal (4 February 2014). "Madeline Kripke's incredible dictionary collection". Melville House. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  6. ^ "REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS – CASSIDY and BAILEY AWARDS". Dictionary Society of North America. Retrieved 2 May 2020.