Philip Babcock Gove

Philip Babcock Gove (June 27, 1902–November 16, 1972) was an American lexicographer who was the editor-in-chief of the ''Webster's Third New International Dictionary'', published in 1961.

Born in Concord, New Hampshire, he received his A.B. from Dartmouth College, his A.M. from Harvard University, his Ph.D. from Columbia University, and his D.Litt. from Dartmouth. He published ''The Imaginary Voyage in Prose Fiction'' in 1941. He started working for the G. and C. Merriam Company in 1946. Gove was managing editor of ''Webster's Third'' from 1950 to 1952, general editor from 1952 to 1960, and editor-in-chief from 1960 until his retirement in 1967.Woolfe, Henry Bosley [https://www.jstor.org/stable/454831 Philip Babcock Gove: 27 June 1902-16 November 1972], ''American Speech'', Vol. 45, No 3/4, pp. 163-67

Gove's work on ''Webster's Third'' was highly controversial for its descriptive rather than prescriptive approach and its minimalist approach to labeling informal or slang terms as such. While Merriam executives objected to including "morally objectionable" entries, Gove listed most popular swear words except ''fuck''.

Gove died at his farm home in Warren, Massachusetts of a heart attack on November 16, 1972, survived by his wife and three children. Provided by Wikipedia