What fictional detective survived an attempted murder by his creator? (Sherlock Holmes) Who was the single mother, living on state benefits, whose wizardly series of novels has made her the richest writer in England? (J. K. Rowling) Which American poet composed and read a poem at John F. Kennedy's inauguration? (Robert Frost) Richard Lederer is the author of more than 3,000 books and articles about language. His syndicated column, Looking at Language, appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. He has been elected International Punster of the Year and has been profiled in The New Yorker, People and The National Enquirer. Lederer hosts A Way with Words on weekend public radio. He lives with his wife in San Diego.

The author of Anguished Englishpresents a compendium of fascinating facts and anecdotes about some of literature's greatest authors and works.

Author and English teacher Richard Lederer is one of the world's foremost lovers of language and literature. In this endlessly engaging volume, he collects some of the most curious trivia about world-renowned authors and poets as well as their many immortal creations. The perfect gift for bibliophiles, Richard Lederer's Literary Triviasheds surprising new light on the books and writers we love.