Always Verify Your Quotations

Winston Churchill? Martin Routh? John Burgon? G. W. Peck? Earl of Rosebery? Anonymous?

Dear Quote Investigator: According to a legend of academia, a young student once asked an illustrious professor to impart his greatest piece of wisdom, and the sage replied with one of these statements:

(1) Always verify your quotations.
(2) Always check your references.
(3) Always verify references.
(4) Always check your citations.

Ironically, few people are heeding this advice; hence, the details of this tale are uncertain. Winston Churchill sometimes receives credit for telling this story although I think it was circulating before he was born. Would you please explore this topic?

Quote Investigator: Martin Routh was the President of Magdalen College, Oxford for more than six decades. He was a renowned classical scholar who died in 1854, and he has usually received credit for this saying.

The student who asked Routh for advice was John Burgon who later became a leader in the Anglican Church. Burgon presented a brief description of the interaction at the beginning of his 1871 book titled “The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark”. Boldface added to excepts by QI:^[1]1871, The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark Vindicated Against Recent Critical Objectors and Established by John W. Burgon (Vicar of S. Mary-The-Virgin’s, Fellow of Oriel … Continue reading

“‘Advice to you,’ sir, ‘in studying Divinity?’ Did you say that you ‘wished I would give you a few words of advice,’ sir? … Then let me recommend to you the practice of always verifying your references, sir!”
Conversation of the late President Routh

Burgon stated in a later book that the dialog occurred on November 29, 1847. Thus, the 1871 description above appeared more than two decades after the event occurred. This long delay reduced the reliability of the report.

QI has uncovered earlier published evidence of this family of sayings. The first instances referred to “quotations” instead of “references” or “citations”. Below is an overview with dates:

1850: Where it is possible, always to verify quotations by reference (Presented as a rule of scholarship by G. W. Peck)

1861: Verify quotations (Advice attributed to Martin Routh by Thomas H. Candy)

1867 Jan: Always to verify quotations, instead of taking them on the quoter’s word (Advice attributed to Martin Routh by pseudonymous Pelicanus)

1867 Aug: Never to rely upon secondary evidence when I could get primary, and always to verify quotations (Rule taught to a columnist of “The Illustrated London News”)

1868: Verify your quotations, sir (Advice attributed to unnamed great writer by a newspaper columnist)

1871: Let me recommend to you the practice of always verifying your references, sir! (Advice attributed to Martin Routh by John Burgon)

1871: Always verify citations (Advice given by Martin Routh to John Burgon according to Julian Charles Young)

1871 Aug: Always verify quotations (Advice given by Martin Routh to John Burgon according to “London Society” columnist)

1871 Sep: Always verify your quotations, and wind up your watch in the morning (Advice given by the head of a college to an undergraduate according to ‘A Country Rector’)

1873: Always verify quotations (Advice given by Martin Routh to Lord Derby according to Samuel Minton)

1874: Always verify your references (Advice given by Martin Routh to a scholar according to William Rudder)

1878: You will find it a very good practice always to verify your references, sir! (Advice attributed to Martin Routh by John Burgon)

1884: Always verify your quotations (Advice given by Martin Routh on his deathbed to his friends according to R. N. Worth)

1884: Verify your quotations (Advice given by a dying don to an Oxford student in the novel “Princess Napraxine” by Maria Louise Ramé)

1886: Young man, verify your quotations (Advice given by Martin Routh according to C. B. Mount)

1897: Always wind up your watch at night, and verify your quotations. (Advice given by an aged sage according to the Earl of Rosebery)

1913: ‘First wind up your watch’ and also … verify your quotations (Advice attributed to Earl of Rosebery by W. N. Willis)

1950: Verify your quotations (Advice given by a professor in his declining hours to a pupil according to Winston Churchill)

1967: Always check your references (A well-tried scientific maxim according to Hugh Nicol)

1978 Sep: Always check your references (Advice given by Martin Routh according to E. R. Hardy)

1987: Always check your quotations against the originals—and then recheck. (Lynn Quitman Troyka)

Here are the details for these citations.

In 1850 “The Methodist Quarterly Review” of New York published a book review by G. W. Peck who presented a rule for careful scholars using the word “quotation”. Boldface added to excerpts by QI:^[2]1850 July, The Methodist Quarterly Review, Article 3: Review by G. W. Peck of a book about William Wirt, Start Page 385, Quote Page 393, Published by Lane & Scott, New York. (Google Books Full … Continue reading

But there is another rule … which is where it is possible, always to verify quotations by reference.

In 1861 Thomas H. Candy who was a Fellow at the University of Cambridge published “The Antidote”. Candy attributed a version of the saying with the word “quotations” to Martin Routh:^[3]1861, The Antidote; Or, an Examination of Mr. Pattison’s Essay On the Tendencies of Religious Thought by Rev. Thomas H. Candy (Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge), Quote Page 4, … Continue reading

This recalled a maxim said to have been impressed by the venerable Dr. Routh on one of his friends: “Verify quotations.”

In January 1867 “The Taunton Courier” of Somerset, England published a letter to the editor from the pseudonymous Pelicanus who also credited Routh:^[4] 1867 January 9, The Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Correspondence (Letter to the Editor from Pelicanus), Quote Page 5, Column 4, Taunton, Somerset, England. (British Newspaper Archive)

The late President of Magdalen College was asked by one of his admirers to pronounce an apophthegm, which should compress into a single sentence, for the benefit of posterity, the experience of his long literary life. The sage responded in these words—“Always verify quotations.”

In August 1867 “The Illustrated London News” published a short piece by a columnist who mentioned the adage:^[5] 1867 August 17, The Illustrated London News, (Untitled short article), Quote Page 117, Column 3, Printed and Published by George C. Leighton, London. (Google Books Full View) link

I was taught, when my education was in hand, never to rely upon secondary evidence when I could get primary, and always to verify quotations, instead of taking them on the quoter’s word.

In 1868 “The Liverpool Mail” of Lancashire, England reprinted a piece from “The Churchman” which included the saying:^[6] 1868 March 28, The Liverpool Mail, Jesuitical Perverters, Quote Page 2, Column 5, Liverpool, Lancashire, England. (British Newspaper Archive)

A great author was once asked, by a literary tyro, to find some general rules. His one answer was: “Verify your quotations, sir.” This seems to be more than ever necessary.—The Churchman.

In 1871 John Burgon published “The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark”. The epigraph on the title page described a conversation he had with Martin Routh. This instance of the saying used the word “references”:^[7]1871, The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark Vindicated Against Recent Critical Objectors and Established by John W. Burgon (Vicar of S. Mary-The-Virgin’s, Fellow of Oriel … Continue reading

“‘Advice to you,’ sir, ‘in studying Divinity?’ Did you say that you ‘wished I would give you a few words of advice,’ sir? … Then let me recommend to you the practice of always verifying your references, sir!”
Conversation of the late President Routh

Also, in 1871 Julian Charles Young published a book about his father titled “A Memoir of Charles Mayne Young”. Young attributed a version of the saying using the word “citations” to Routh:^[8] 1871, A Memoir of Charles Mayne Young by Julian Charles Young, Chapter 16, Quote Page 385, Macmillan and Company, London. (Google Books Full View) link

The Rev. John W. Burgon, of Oriel, Rector of St. Mary’s, a man beloved of all who know him—accomplished, erudite, a great biblical scholar, and an earnest and fearless defender of the faith; a man of great sanctity, and yet with a most acute perception of the ludicrous, was a great favourite of the late President of Magdalen. On one occasion, when Dr. Routh had been saying many kind and encouraging things to him, he asked him to give him some advice which might stay by him, and be of use to him in his future life. ‘Always verify citations,’ was his answer.

In August 1871 the journal “London Society” published an article discussing the book by Julian Charles Young. Oddly, the article included an altered version of the saying using “quotations” instead of “citations”:^[9]1871 August, London Society: An Illustrated Magazine, Volume 20, Number 116, The Piccadilly Papers: Biography, Start Page 183, Quote Page 183, Column 2, Printed by W. Clowes and Sons, London. (Google … Continue reading

Dr. Routh’s solemn advice to Mr. Burgon was, ‘Always verify quotations’

In September 1871 “Baily’s Magazine of Sports and Pastimes” published a version of the anecdote with more elaborate advice:^[10]1871 September, Baily’s Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, Volume 20, Section: ‘Our Van’, (Quote appears in a letter from ‘A Country Rector’), Start Page 359, Quote Page 372, A. H. Baily … Continue reading

Once upon a time an undergrad., of sober temperament, called on the head of his college to say farewell; and bethinking himself that it would be well to have a “straight tip” for the battle of life, he besought the ancient for his blessing, and for some parting words of counsel to be remembered in after years. Grasping his hand con amore, the man of folios spoke, “My son, good-bye—always verify your quotations, and wind up your watch in the morning.”

In 1873 “The Spectator” of London suggested that Routh transmitted the advice to Lord Derby instead of John Burgon:^[11]1873 March 29, The Spectator, Section: Letters To the Editor, The Athanasian Creed—A Personal Explanation, Letter from Samuel Minton, Quote Page 406, Column 2, London, England. (Google Books Full … Continue reading

… Dr. Routh’s advice to the late Lord Derby, given as the result of his long experience, “Always verify quotations”

In 1874 Rev. William Rudder spoke at a convention of the U.S. Protestant Episcopal Church, and he credited Routh with an instance using “references”:^[12]1874, The Debates of the House of Deputies in the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, Held in New York in October 1874, Seventeenth Day (October 26, … Continue reading

… I have taken in nearly every instance the advice of the venerable Dr. Routh to one of his scholars, “always verify your references.” They have been verified.

In 1878 John Burgon published in “The Quarterly Review” of London a longer description of his conversation with Martin Routh. The following passage begins with an inquiry from Burgon:^[13] 1878 July, The Quarterly Review, Volume 146, Martin Joseph Routh by ART (John William Burgon), Quote Page 30, John Murray, London. (Google Books Full View) link

“Every studious man, in the course of a long and thoughtful life, has had occasion to experience the special value of some one axiom or precept. Would you mind giving me the benefit of such a word of advice?” He bade me explain, evidently to gain time. I quoted an instance. He nodded and looked thoughtful.

Presently he brightened up and said, “I think, sir, since you care for the advice of an old man, sir, you will find it a very good practice” (here he looked me in the face) “always to verify your references, sir!” I can better recal the archness of the speaker’s manner than his exact words; but they were nearly those.

In 1884 R. N. Worth delivered a speech at the Plymouth Institution in England, and he suggested that Routh gave his advice while on his deathbed:^[14]1887, Annual Reports and Transactions of the Plymouth Institution and Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society 1884 – 1887, Volume 9, The Older Charities of Plymouth by R. N. Worth, (Read … Continue reading

“Always verify your quotations” was Dr. Routh’s dying advice to his friends; and the historical enquirer who does not test his materials whenever possible by the original documents is guilty of something more than mere carelessness.

Also, in 1884 the novel Princess Napraxine by Ouida (pseudonym of Maria Louise Ramé) presented the adage:^[15] 1884, Princess Napraxine by Ouida (pseudonym of Maria Louise Ramé), Chapter 3, Quote Page 43, J. B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Google Books Full View) link

“Verify your quotations, was the advice given by a dying don to an Oxford student.”

In 1886 the journal; “Notes and Queries” printed the following from a correspondent named C. B. Mount:^[16] 1886 March 20, Notes and Queries, An Ill-Used Record by C. B. Mount, Quote Page 224, Column 2, Published at the Office of Notes and Queries, London. (Google Books Full View) link

Truly we yet have need of old President Routh’s famous maxim, “Young man, verify your quotations”!

In 1888 John Burgon published “Lives of Twelve Good Men” which included a section about Martin Routh. Burgon reprinted the anecdote he previously published in “The Quarterly Review” in 1878. Burgon also gave a precise date for the conversation: November 29, 1847.^[17]1888, Lives of Twelve Good Men by John William Burgon (Dean Chichester, Sometime Fellow of Oriel College and Vicar of S. Mary-the-Virgin’s, Oxford), Volume 1, Edition 2, Section 1: Martin Joseph … Continue reading

In 1897 Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery addressed the Annual Meeting of the Scottish History Society. He credited aged sage with elaborate advice:^[18]1899, Appreciations and Addresses Delivered by Lord Roseberry, Edited by Charles Geake, Scottish History, (Speech delivered by Earl of Rosebery on November 23, 1897 at the Annual Meeting of the … Continue reading

Therefore, it is only one more confirmation of the invaluable advice given by an aged sage to one who sought his guidance in life, “Always wind up your watch at night, and verify your quotations.”

In 1913 Australian politician William Nicholas Willis attributed an instance to the Earl of Rosebery:^[19] 1913, Western Men with Eastern Morals by W. N. Willis (William Nicholas Willis), Second Edition, Chapter 12: Why?, Quote Page 208, Stanley Paul & Company, London. (Google Books Full View) link

“One of your great men—I think it was Lord Rosebery —once told you to ‘first wind up your watch’ and also to verify your quotations.”

In 1950 by Winston S. Churchill published the fourth volume of his chronicle of World War 2 titled “The Hinge of Fate”. He included a version of the anecdote:^[20]1950, The Second World War: The Hinge of Fate by Winston S. Churchill, Book Two: Africa Redeemed, Chapter 15: The Casablanca Conference, Quote Page 688, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, … Continue reading

I am reminded of the professor who, in his declining hours, was asked by his devoted pupils for his final counsel. He replied, “Verify your quotations.”

In 1967 “The Limits of Man” by Hugh Nicol included a version of the adage using “check” instead of “verify”:^[21]1967, The Limits of Man: An Enquiry Into the Scientific Bases of Human Population by Hugh Nicol, Chapter 3: Understanding the modern set-up, Quote Page 30 and 31, Constable and Company, London. … Continue reading

If you have doubts, you can look up details in the record of the whole of science (whether it refers to food or not): and thus carry into practice a well-tried scientific maxim: ‘Always check your references.’

In 1978 an article by E. R. Hardy in the journal “Church History” credited Routh with a variant using “check” and “references”:^[22]1978 September, Church History, Volume 47, Number 3, Book Review by E. R. Hardy of “Early Christianity and Society” by Robert M. Grant, Start Page 325, Quote Page 325, Published by Cambridge … Continue reading

When involved in so many details even the best of us need to remember Dr. Routh’s famous advice, “always check your references.”

In 1987 Lynn Quitman Troyka published “Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers” which included a variant with “check” and “quotations”:^[23]1987, Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers by Lynn Quitman Troyka, Chapter 31: Paraphrasing, Summarizing, Quoting, Quote Page 525, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. (Verified with … Continue reading

Be very careful not to misquote a source. Always check your quotations against the originals—and then recheck. It is very easy to make mistakes when you are copying from the source into your notes or from your notes into your paper.

In conclusion, QI believes that Martin Routh deserves credit for using this adage while conversing with John Burgon circa 1847. However, QI is uncertain of the phrasing Routh employed. The earliest citation crediting Routh in 1861 used the phrase: “Verify quotations”.

Yet, John Burgon in 1871 suggested that Routh stated “Let me recommend to you the practice of always verifying your references, sir!” Since Burgon was an ear-witness QI tentatively accepts his version.

The 5th Earl of Rosebery used a version in 1897, but he credited an aged sage. Winston Churchill used a version in 1950, but he credited an unnamed professor.

Images Notes: Image displaying a pair of quotation marks created in GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program).

(Many thanks to previous researchers who authored helpful books which mentioned this topic, e.g., “The Treasury of Modern Anecdote” (1881) edited by W. Davenport Adams, “Cassell’s Book of Quotations” (1907) edited W. Gurney Benham, “The Home Book of Quotations” (1949) edited Burton Stevenson, “The Quote Sleuth” (1990) by Anthony W. Shipps, “Brewer’s Famous Quotations” (2006) by Nigel Rees, and “The New Yale Book of Quotations” (2021) edited by Fred R. Shapiro.)