Robert K. Root (1877-1950)

Author / Editor
Hanna, Ralph, III

Title
Robert K. Root (1877-1950)

Published
Paul Ruggiers, ed. Editing Chaucer: The Great Tradition (Norman, Okla.: Pilgrim Books, 1984), pp. 191-205.

Description
Explains Root's dependence on William Symington McCormick's theory of Chaucer's seriatim revisions of TC, and castigates the "illogical rationalism" of Root's editorial methods, especially his treatment of scribal error. Root's "longing for an automatically generated text" overrode "palpable facts" and his conservative "adherence to principle" produced a seriously flawed text, albeit one accompanied by an excellent critical introduction and superb explanatory notes.

Alternative Title
Editing Chaucer: The Great Tradition.

Chaucer Subjects
Facsimiles, Editions, and Translations
Manuscripts and Textual Studies
Troilus and Criseyde