Pyles, Thomas (1905–1980)

US philologist. An authority on English language and usage, he was the author of several books, including The Origins and Development of the English Language 1964 and Words and Ways of American English 1952. He also served as an adviser to several of the major dictionary publishers in the USA.

Born in Frederick, Maryland, he graduated from the University of Maryland in 1926 (MA 1927) and received a PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 1938. He taught English at the universities of Maryland 1927–44, Oklahoma 1944–48, Florida 1948–66, and Northwestern 1966–71.