Stuff You Missed in History Class: SYMHC Classics – Peter Roget

Hosted by Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson Released on January 18, 2025

Introduction

In the SYMHC Classics episode titled "Peter Roget," hosts Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson delve deep into the life of the man behind the ubiquitous Roget's Thesaurus. From his early fascination with classification systems to his enduring legacy in both science and literature, this episode paints a comprehensive portrait of Roget's multifaceted life.

Early Life and Education

Peter Mark Roget was born on January 18, 1779, in London. His father, Jean Roget, a Genovese pastor, moved to England before Roget's birth but tragically passed away when Peter was only four years old. This loss made his uncle, Sir Samuel Romilly—a prominent abolitionist, legal reformer, and politician—a significant paternal figure in his life.

Roget's mother, Catherine Romilly, described by biographers as domineering and possibly suffering from depression, was highly involved in her son's upbringing. Under her influence, Roget moved to Edinburgh at the age of 14 to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh. Despite his medical training, his passion for literature and philosophy was evident early on.

Tracy V. Wilson (02:16): "Peter Mark Roget was born on January 18, 1779, in London... After his father died, Peter referred to his uncle as his surrogate father."

Early Career and Scientific Pursuits

Upon graduating from medical school in 1798 at 19, Roget exhibited a keen interest in classification systems, drawing inspiration from Carl Linnaeus. His early work aimed to organize all knowledge into three broad categories: the material world, the intellectual world, and the world of signs. Although his collaboration with philosopher Dougald Stewart never saw publication, it laid the foundation for his systematic approach to knowledge.

In 1799, Roget published his first work in the Journal of Thomas Beddoes, focusing on consumption and its relation to various professions. His tenure at the Pneumatic Medical Institution in Bristol saw him collaborate with Humphry Davy on experimenting with gases like nitrous oxide for medical applications. Roget even documented his disorienting experiences with nitrous oxide:

Holly Fry (06:19): "I seemed to lose the sense of my own weight and imagined I was sinking into the ground. I then felt a drowsiness gradually steal over me..."

Journey Through Europe and Wartime Challenges

At 23, Roget embarked on a year-long European tour as a private tutor for the Phillips brothers. Their journey took an unexpected turn when Britain declared war on France in 1803. Caught in Geneva, Roget faced the difficult task of ensuring the safety of his underage charges. Demonstrating remarkable resourcefulness, he leveraged his Genovese heritage to secure a limited passport and orchestrated a covert return to England.

Tracy V. Wilson (09:32): "It is impossible to describe the rapture we felt in treading on friendly ground. It was like awaking from a horrid dream or recovering from a nightmare."

Academic and Professional Achievements

Returning to England in 1804, Roget took up a position at the Manchester Public Infirmary and initiated Manchester's first medical school by organizing a comprehensive lecture series. By 1808, he moved back to London, continuing his teaching at the Russell Institution and earning his license from the Royal College of Physicians in 1809.

Roget's role as secretary of the Medical and Chirurgical Society in 1811 and his subsequent fellowship with the Royal Society in 1815 underscored his growing influence in the scientific community. His contributions ranged from developing a log-log scale spiral slide rule to writing extensively for the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Holly Fry (11:14): "He innovated outside of physiology, inventing a device in 1814 that he called a log log scale..."

Personal Struggles and Resilience

The year 1818 was a turning point marked by personal tragedies. The death of his aunt Anne and the subsequent suicide of his uncle Sir Samuel Romilly plunged Roget into profound grief and self-doubt. Coping with these losses, he found solace in his lecturing at the Royal Institution, which reinvigorated his passion for teaching and research.

Holly Fry (19:03): "In 1837, Charles Babbage wrote an unauthorized Bridgewater treatise of his own... Roget had updated the article... After two years... Roget just stopped participating in any argument about phrenology because at that point he felt that the field was recognized as inherently flawed."

The Birth of Roget's Thesaurus

Throughout his career, Roget maintained meticulous lists of words and phrases categorized by their meanings. This lifelong habit culminated in the publication of Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases in the summer of 1852. Designed not in alphabetical order but organized by ideas and concepts, the thesaurus aimed to facilitate more effective and nuanced expression.

Holly Fry (39:54): "The word thesaurus means treasure in Latin, and that was exactly what the author hoped it would be... arranged not in alphabetical order, as they are in a dictionary, but according to the ideas which they express."

The thesaurus was lauded for its intuitive organization, making it a valuable tool for writers and speakers alike. Its success ensured Roget's lasting legacy in both education and literature.

Later Years and Legacy

Despite facing criticism, particularly from proponents of phrenology, Roget remained steadfast in his scientific beliefs. His later years were marked by continued contributions to scientific literature and the refinement of his thesaurus. Roget passed away on September 12, 1869, in West Alvern, England, at the age of 90. By then, over 40 million copies of his thesaurus had been sold, and his work had become a staple in libraries and educational institutions worldwide.

Tracy V. Wilson (44:35): "More than 40 million copies of Roget's thesaurus have been sold over the years. In 1925, Peter Roget was deemed the Saint of Crosswordia by New York Times Magazine."

Conclusion

Peter Roget's life was a testament to the power of organization, resilience, and intellectual curiosity. From his groundbreaking work in medical science to the creation of a thesaurus that has stood the test of time, Roget's contributions continue to influence various fields. Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson's episode not only highlights Roget's achievements but also sheds light on the personal struggles that shaped his enduring legacy.

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