William Strunk, Jr. (1869 – 1946) was Professor of English at Cornell University. One of his many students was E.B. White, the famous children's author, who said about Strunk: "At the close of the World War, when I was a student at Cornell, I took a course called English 8. My professor was William Strunk Jr. A textbook required for the course was a slim volume called The Elements of Style, whose author was the professor himself. The year was 1919. The book was known on the campus in those days as 'the little book,' with the stress on the word 'little.' It had been privately printed by the author." White also wrote of his former professor, "He was a memorable man, friendly and funny."

The Elements of Style is the classic reference text for clear writing and is generally considered a must-have for any student or writer. In this most revered of writing books, Strunk identifies the necessary qualities of proper American English style; and he does it all with wit and grace. Compelling and timeless, this book is simply the best of its kind. A masterpiece in the art of clear and concise writing, and an exemplar of the principles it explains.

This book, printed as a private edition in 1918 for the use of his students, became a classic on the local campus, known as "the little book", and its successive editions have since sold over ten million copies. In his first edition, Strunk describes the book as follows: "It aims to lighten the task of instructor and student by concentrating attention ... on a few essentials, the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated."

photo credit: National Public Radio

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