Origins & Early Life

David Crystal (born 6 July 1941) is a British linguist who studies the English language. Crystal studied English at University College London and has lectured at Bangor University and the University of Reading. He was awarded an OBE in 1995 and a Fellowship of the British Academy in 2000. Crystal was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Lancaster University in 2013.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Crystal is a proponent of Internet linguistics and has also been involved in Shakespeare productions, providing guidance on original pronunciation. Crystal was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, on 6 July 1941 after his mother had been evacuated there during The Blitz. Before he reached the age of one, his parents separated. He remained estranged from and ignorant of his father for most of his childhood, but later learnt (through work contacts and a half-brother) of the life and career of Samuel Crystal in London, and of his half-Jewish heritage. He grew up with his mother in Holyhead, North Wales, and Liverpool, England, where he attended St Mary's College from 1951.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Crystal is a practising Roman Catholic. He currently lives in Holyhead with his wife, Hilary, a former speech therapist and now children's author...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adnan Khayr Allah — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Iraqi military officer and former Minister of Defense, closely connected to the ruling family.
• Alan Mullery — Contemporary (Born in 1941) (1941): Iconic English footballer and manager known for his time at Fulham and Spurs.
• Alfonso XIII — Contemporary (Died in 1941) (1941): King of Spain (1886-1931), whose reign spanned constitutional crises and republican upheaval.
• 14th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (07-06 · Born) (1935): Spiritual leader of Tibet and head of Tibetan Buddhism since 1940.
• 50 Cent — Shared historical date (07-06 · Born) (1975): Iconic rapper, actor, and entrepreneur known for raw storytelling and business acumen.
• Ali Hassan al-Majid — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Notorious Iraqi military figure, cousin of Saddam Hussein, known for brutal repression.
• Andrei Mironov (actor) — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Iconic Soviet stage and film actor, celebrated for roles in popular Russian cinema.
• Adolfo Pedernera — Historical peer (Died in 1995) (1995): Argentine football legend, nicknamed 'El Maestro,' pivotal in the 1940s.
• Alexander Knox — Historical peer (Died in 1995) (1995): Esteemed Canadian actor and writer, known for dramatic roles and literary contributions.
• A. E. van Vogt — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• 1941 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1941
• July 6 (07-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 6