John Richards

[Paul Doherty]

I have just heard that John Richards, founder of the Apostrophe Protection Society, has died at 97.

I am sure that many here will be sorry at the news. It was not the wish of the APS to allow much discussion or dissent, and so this forum was set up as an alternative place for discussions - nominally about language - in a slightly less stringent atmosphere.

John didn't recognise many grey areas when it came to apostrophe usage - Wales's goal or Charles' hat - but I'm sure many of us will be sad at his death and grateful that the APS website led to the creation of this site.

John is survived by his children Katherine and Stephen, to whom we send our condolences and best wishes.

Paul.

[Paul Doherty]

The APS site has now been updated to announce the death of John Richards.

www.apostrophe.org.uk/page16.html

[Verbivore]

Thank you, Paul, for the news.

JR and I didn't agree about everything, but one thing we appear to have agreed upon was our choice of computer platform (long live Macintosh!).

I'm sure that John helped point many in the right direction apostrophe-wise, or at least made them more aware of their apostrophic sins. He was also responsible for our coming together to populate our own NtAPS site, and for that I thank him.

Vale, John Richards.

[Paul Doherty]

Indeed!

[Twoddle]

A few months after I retired, my wife, being well aware of my pedantic nature especially in matters linguistic, pointed out a news article about The Apostrophe Preservation Society and suggested I take a look at it. It's thanks to John Richards (and the Contessa) that I've made friends with many like-minded folk during the past seventeen years, had innumerable enjoyable discussions on the English language, learnt more about English than I could begin to describe, and picked up some vital tips on computers from Paul along the route.

[Paul Doherty]

And me you, Twoddle. It's easy to criticise "social media", but I do think the Internet in general, with all its websites, email addtesses, forums, and "platforms" has made it possible for so many of us to meet, debate and argue with people we would otherwise never have met. And from that we have gathered - in our various ways - much enjoyment, encouragement, support, help, or knowledge.

John played a (maybe inadvertent) part in introducing me, you, Verbivore, Dave Miller (and many others, sorry I can't mention everyone) to each other, and for that I'm grateful.

[Trevor]

I first came across the APS through its mention in Lynn Truss's Eats, Shoots and Leaves, which I now see was published back in 2009. That means I've been loitering around these parts for about twelve years, albeit not nearly as consistently as some of you. Like the rest of you, I guess it's thanks to John that I came here so I'm grateful to him and offer my condolences to his family.

(Note my apostrophe in Truss's above. Remind me, would John have liked that or not?)


EDIT - it was published in 2003, so add another six years!

[Verbivore]

Trevor: Good to see that you're still around!

I, too, arrived at the APS site via Lynne Truss's ES&L. As I bought that book when it was first released, I suppose we joined the forum about the same time.