Richard Oliver Heslop (1842–1916) was a British businessman, author, historian, lexicologist, lexicographer, songwriter and poet. His most famous work is the two-volume "Northumberland Words". [1][2]
Richard Oliver Heslop was born 14 March 1842 in Newcastle upon Tyne,[3] and was educated at The Old Grammar School. He was a businessman,[4] and a joint owner of an Iron Merchants and Engineers, Heslop, Wilson and Budden, of 26 Sandhill and at the Stock Bridge. The company went into administration (or “Liquidation by arrangement or composition with creditors”) according to the London Gazette of 6 November 1874.[5]
He served as president of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne from 1914 until 1916.
He compiled several books and wrote numerous papers on the subject of the North East England, the Northumberland and Geordie dialect and use of words. His best known and most popular was “'Northumberland Words' (published in 2 volumes in 1893-4)“, the first real dialect dictionary of Geordie words and their meanings, and a set of monumental works running to over 800 Pages.[6]
The dictionary was serialised weekly in the Evening Chronicle in the 1880s under the heading of “'Northumberland Words".[6] It was only later that the subtitle “'A glossary of words used in the County of Northumberland ---- etc" was added
He also wrote several poems and songs as a hobby and form of relaxation during his writing of the "Northumberland Words".
During his life, several addresses are given including (in 1874) 93 Gloster Street, and (in 1894) Akenside Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne.
He was awarded the honorary degree of Master of Arts (MA) from the University of Durham in September 1901.[7]
Heslop died in 1916 aged 72.
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