Professor David Crystal has written well over 100 books mainly on the English language and linguistics. His latest book, The Story of English in 100 Words is out in October. On his birthday he is treating himself to a once-a-year haircut and a Shakespeare play with his wife Hilary. He is relaxed about getting older: “I have a young grandson who forces me to play football whether I want to or not so I really don’t feel any different.” rgt
Birthdays today
Vladimir Ashkenazy, pianist, 74; Michael Boyd, artistic director, RSC, 56; George W. Bush, US President, 2001-09, 65; Baroness Cox, a Deputy Speaker, House of Lords, 1986-2006, 74; the Dalai Lama, 76; Geraldine James, actress, 61; John Makepeace, furniture maker, 72; Hilary Mantel, novelist, 59; Kate Nash, singer, songwriter, 24; Ramon Pajares, hotelier, 76; Dame Mary Peters, athlete, 72; Cathryn Pope, soprano, 54; the Hon Sir Jonathon Porritt, environmentalist, 61; Lord Powell of Bayswater, private secretary to the Prime Minister, 1983-91, 70; Nancy Reagan, former US first lady, 90; Jennifer Saunders, actress and writer, 53; Sylvester Stallone, actor, 65; Julia Unwin, chief executive, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 55;