Susan Margaret Butler (born 1948) is an Australian

lexicographer Lexicography is the study of lexicons, and is divided into two separate academic disciplines. It is the art of compiling dictionaries. * Practical lexicography is the art or craft of compiling, writing and editing dictionaries. * Theoretica ...

, who was the editor and publisher of the ''

Macquarie Dictionary The ''Macquarie Dictionary'' () is a dictionary of Australian English. It is generally considered by universities and the legal profession to be the authoritative source on Australian English. It also pays considerable attention to New Zealand ...

'' of Australian English from its first edition in 1981 until its seventh in 2017, and her retirement in 2018. Butler intended to become a composer, and majored in Latin and Greek at the

University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD), also known as Sydney University, or informally Sydney Uni, is a public university, public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is one o ...

before working in a factory. In 1970, she was employed by Jacaranda Press as a research assistant on a proposed dictionary of Australian English. Over the next ten years, Butler became the dictionary's editor, and published its first edition in 1981. In addition to the Macquarie, Butler has written several lexicographical books including ''The Dinkum Dictionary: The Origins of Australian Words'' and ''The Aitch Factor: Adventures in Australian English''. In 2018, Butler was made an

Officer of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Go ...

in the

Queen's Birthday Honours The Birthday Honours, in some Commonwealth realms, mark the reigning British monarch's official birthday by granting various individuals appointment into national or dynastic orders or the award of decorations and medals. The honours are pres ...

for "distinguished service to the community as a lexicographer and author, as a facilitator of academic discourse on Australian English language, and to commercial publishing".

References

1948 births Living people Australian book editors Australian lexicographers University of Sydney alumni Officers of the Order of Australia {{Australia-writer-stub