RIP Edwin Newman

One of the first nonfiction books I bought for myself was Strictly Speaking by Edwin Newman. I loved it, and I know that my understanding of the importance of grammar improved thanks to it and its sequel, A Civil Tongue.

We watched the news every night during dinner, and Mr. Newman was a favorite in our house. I have no idea what his personal politics were, but I found him riveting because he had a distinctive way of writing his copy.