Leslie Dunkling
Encyclopedia
Leslie Dunkling is an author known for his authoritative work on names books, ranging from names people choose for their children to names of pubs.
in 1935. As a mature student he qualified as a teacher in 1961, then gained a BA (Hons) degree in English at University College London
. This was followed by an MA in Linguistics from Stockholm University
, Sweden, where he taught English language and literature. He subsequently became a producer of educational radio and television programmes for the BBC, remaining there for 20 years. In 1970 he developed a spare time interest in onomatology, the study of proper names. He was co-founder of the Names Society and for many years was its president. He also published several reference books about names of various kinds, not only proper names but also, as his interest in toponymy
grew, places, followed by other related areas.
He has lived since 1971 in Thames Ditton
, Surrey, with his French wife, Nicole. Their three adult children and families live nearby.
Biography
Leslie Dunkling was born in west LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1935. As a mature student he qualified as a teacher in 1961, then gained a BA (Hons) degree in English at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
. This was followed by an MA in Linguistics from Stockholm University
Stockholm University
Stockholm University is a state university in Stockholm, Sweden. It has over 28,000 students at four faculties, making it one of the largest universities in Scandinavia. The institution is also frequently regarded as one of the top 100 universities in the world...
, Sweden, where he taught English language and literature. He subsequently became a producer of educational radio and television programmes for the BBC, remaining there for 20 years. In 1970 he developed a spare time interest in onomatology, the study of proper names. He was co-founder of the Names Society and for many years was its president. He also published several reference books about names of various kinds, not only proper names but also, as his interest in toponymy
Toponymy
Toponymy is the scientific study of place names , their origins, meanings, use and typology. The word "toponymy" is derived from the Greek words tópos and ónoma . Toponymy is itself a branch of onomastics, the study of names of all kinds...
grew, places, followed by other related areas.
He has lived since 1971 in Thames Ditton
Thames Ditton
Thames Ditton is a village in Surrey, England, bordering Greater London. It is situated 12.2 miles south-west of Charing Cross between the towns of Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton, Esher and East Molesey...
, Surrey, with his French wife, Nicole. Their three adult children and families live nearby.