The editor of this modern revision of a famous grammar and history of the English Language is Fraser McKen, a retired teacher of English from The Toronto District School Board, where he spent his entire career. He has taught in England and in Australia as part of the Commonwealth Exchange Teachers Program and used this book in his own classes for both instruction of new speakers of English and as part of enrichment classes for native speakers.

The book from which it originates, The English Language: Its Grammar, History and Literature by J.M.D. Meiklejohn, was first brought to Fraser’s attention by the staff librarians at main branch of the Toronto Public Library, who told him that a single copy of the 1886 edition of the book survived in the rare volumes section of the library. It was from that book that this modern revision, Professor Meiklejohn’s Grammar and History of the English Language, has been created.