Robert James Dixson

Robert James Dixson (May 23, 1908 – February 1, 1963) was an American writer who simplified and adapted some classic works of literature, that were later published in their new version,^[a] and wrote a number of books about the English language, especially crafted for the foreign born.^[b]

He lived in New York City and moved to Florida in the early 1950s. He died while living in Coral Gables in 1963.

He authored English language books by himself but also collaborated with others. Many of these books have been used throughout the world by those who wanted to learn or improve their knowledge of grammar, usage and pronunciation, particularly American English. Although the original editions served the intended purpose of his books, several have been re-published in different countries, most with translated notations to facilitate comprehension.^[c]

Works

^a Published simplified and adapted writings (partial list)

1. Moby Dick^[1]
2. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn^[2]
3. House of the Seven Gables^[3]
4. Murders in the Rue Morgue, and The Gold Bug^[4]
5. The Red Badge of Courage^[5]
6. The Pathfinder, or The Inland Sea^[6]

^b English books (partial list)

• (1945) Exercises in English Conversation for the Foreign Born
• (1949) Tests and Drills in English Grammar for Foreign Students
• (1950) Modern Short Stories by American Authors
• (1951) Essential Idioms in English for the Foreign Born
• (1951) Complete Course in English
• (1953) Everyday Dialogues in English for the Foreign Born
• (1955) Curso Completo de Inglés (Spanish)
• (1957) Practice Exercises in Everyday English
• (1962) Modern American English

Trivia

Some of Dixson's work was compiled into an English course with books and cassettes, titled "Modern American English," marketed by Grolier in the late 1960s. The main speaker on the course was Leslie Daniel (1919–2011), actor and voice-over performer, best known for his role as Kurt, the lab assistant in The Brain That Wouldn't Die.^[7]

Though some of his books on the English language are known as the "Dixson's English Series," they are more often listed on the Internet as "Dixon's English Series."

References

1. ^ Melville, Herman (1990). Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Prentice Hall. ISBN 013024662X
2. ^ Twain, Mark (1977). Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. McDougal Littell. ISBN 0883434156
3. ^ Hawthorne, Nathaniel (1974). Nathaniel Hawthorne's House of the Seven Gables. Prentice Hall. ISBN 0130244074
4. ^ Poe, Edgar Allan (1973). Edgar Allan Poe's Murders in the Rue Morgue and the Golden Bug. Prentice Hall. ISBN 0130244244
5. ^ Crane, Stephen (1977). The Red Badge of Courage. McDougal Littell. ISBN 0883434172
6. ^ Cooper, James Fenimore (1973). The Pathfinder. Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13-024548-9
7. ^ La Penna, Tony (1988). Dall'America all'Italia: Memorie di un Attore. Italy: Sabatia. p. 69.

^c English books published overseas (partial list)

• Robert J. Dixson (2003). Essential Idioms in English. Japan: Pearson Kirihara K.K. ISBN 9780131411760
• Robert J. Dixson (1971). Elementary Reader in English. Venezuela: Regents. Clasificación: 65 D55 1971 (Barcode 14364)
• Robert J. Dixson (2008). Essential Idioms in English. Taiwan: Pearson. ISBN 9789861546988
• Robert J. Dixson (1986). Practical English Self-taught. Spain: Edaf. ISBN 84-7166-555-7
• Robert J. Dixson (2003). Essential Idioms in English. Italy: Pearson. ISBN 0.131.411764 [sic]
• Robert J. Dixson (1994). Graded Exercises in English. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ISBN 852150425X
• Robert J. Dixson (1978). Modern American English. France: Regents. ISBN 0883453118
• Robert J. Dixson (2010). Essential Idioms in English. Iran: Forest. ISBN 978-964-981-513-8
• Robert J. Dixson (1987). Las 2000 Palabras Usadas Con Más Frecuencia en Inglés. Latin America: Prentice Hall. ISBN 9780135234167
• Robert J. Dixson (2003). Everyday Dialogues in English. New Delhi: PHI Learning. ISBN 81-203-0566-3

External links

• Catalog of copyright entries, Volume 28, Part 14, Issue 1 (Google Books)
• ISBN-13 list
• Open Library
• WorldCat Identities
• Freebase
• BookFinder

Persondata
Name	Robert James Dixson
Alternative names	Robert J. Dixson
Short description	American writer
Date of birth	May 23, 1908
Place of birth	USA
Date of death	February 1, 1963
Place of death	Coral Gables, Florida, USA