Booth , David , 1766-1846 , author

David Booth was born in Kennetles, Forfarshire, on 9 February 1766. He was almost entirely self-taught. In his early life he was engaged in business, mainly the brewing industry, but he then decided to become a schoolmaster in Newburgh, Fifeshire. Shortly before 1820 he moved to London, where he was involved with literature. He also supervised the publications for press of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. He wrote some articles on brewing for the Society. In 1806 he had published an 'Introduction to an Analytical Dictionary of the English language'. In 1831 he brought out 'Principles of English Composition', and in 1837 ' Principles of English grammar'. The first volume of the 'Analytical Dictionary of the English language' appeared in 1835: it was the only one published. Booth died in Fifeshire on 5 December 1846.