John Minsheu: Scholar or Charlatan?

Abstract

John Minsheu, Shakespeare's contemporary, is primarily known as the author of id est, Ductor in Linguas, The Guide into Tongues (London, 1617). More than any other English work of the period the Ductor in Linguas reflects linguistic research and speculation at home and abroad and represents an important link in the beginnings of modern English lexicography. On the basis of this work Minsheu has been praised as a scholar, antiquarian, and etymologist of note.