Henry Sweet

Date of Birth: October 15, 1845

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: April 30, 1912

Biography

Henry Sweet was an influential English philologist and phonetician born in 1845. He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of phonetics and his contributions to the study of Old English and other Germanic languages. Sweet’s work laid the groundwork for modern linguistic studies, and he is often credited with influencing notable figures such as George Bernard Shaw, who used Sweet as a model for the character of Professor Henry Higgins in “Pygmalion,” which later inspired the musical “My Fair Lady.” Sweet’s academic career began at King’s College School in London and continued at Balliol College, Oxford. His first major publication, “A Handbook of Phonetics” (1877), established him as a leading authority in the field. He later published several other influential works, including “A History of English Sounds” (1888) and “A Primer of Spoken English” (1890). Despite his significant contributions, Sweet struggled to secure a permanent academic position, partly due to his contentious personality. Sweet’s work extended beyond phonetics; he significantly impacted the study of Old English, contributing to the field with his “Anglo-Saxon Reader” (1876) and “The Oldest English Texts” (1885). He was also a key figure in the early development of linguistic theory, particularly in the realms of phonology and morphology.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry Sweet

1. Henry Sweet influenced George Bernard Shaw’s character, Professor Henry Higgins, in “Pygmalion.”

2. He was one of the founding members of the International Phonetic Association.

3. Sweet was fluent in several languages, including Old English, Icelandic, and Gothic.

4. Despite his academic prowess, Sweet faced difficulties in securing a permanent academic position.

5. He published over 30 books and numerous articles throughout his career.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry Sweet

1. “Phonetics is the indispensable foundation of all study in the science of language.”

2. “Without a knowledge of phonetics, it is impossible to understand the true nature of language.”

3. “The difficulties of the English language are largely due to the irregularity of its orthography.”

4. “Language changes not by the will of individuals, but by the collective will of the community.”

5. “The science of language is nothing but the application of the inductive method to the facts of language.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no specific record of Henry Sweet’s net worth, but given his struggles to secure a permanent academic position, it is unlikely that he amassed significant wealth.