John Algeo

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John Algeo (November 12, 1930 – October 13, 2019) was an American linguist, English professor, and author. He wrote a standard textbook on the history of the English language, Origins and Development of the English Language. He was also a Theosophist and a Freemason.

Early life and family
- Born in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Served in the Korean War as a sergeant.
- Married Adele Silbereisen in 1958.

Education
- Bachelor of Education from the University of Miami (1955).
- MA (1957) and PhD (1960) from the University of Florida.

Academic career
- Florida State University: instructor (1959–1961).
- University of Florida: assistant professor (1961), associate professor (1966), assistant dean of the graduate school (1969), full professor (1970).
- University of Georgia: English professor starting in 1971; chair of the English department (1975–1979); professor emeritus (1994).

Theosophy and professional leadership
- Vice President of the Theosophical Society Adyar.
- National president of the Theosophical Society America (1993).
- President of the American Dialect Society (1979); president of the Dictionary Society of North America (1995–97); president of the American Name Society (1984).
- Editor of American Speech (1969–1982) and Quest magazine (1995).

Death
- Died October 13, 2019, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at age 88.