Talk:Cosens Spencer

Latest comment: 2 days ago by Nickm57 in topic Title

Title

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This article is titled "Charles Cozens Spencer", a conflation which was never used in contemporary newspapers. Here's the crude Trove count, which of course doesn't exclude duplication by affiliated newspapers.

"Spencer Cosens", his birth name, 51 hits, 1900–1930, none 1920–29

inc. "Charles Spencer Cosens", perhaps his full birth name, 1 hit in October 1930

"Cozens Spencer" 156 hits, mostly from Victoria 1870–79 (84 of 94, all advertising). In NSW mostly 1910–19 (17 of 29, all articles)

inc. Charles Cozens Spencer 4 hits, all September 1930

"Cosens Spencer" 84 hits, 1910–1939; none 1920–29

inc. "Charles Cosens Spencer" 24 hits, all September – November 1930

As "Cozens Spencer" mostly appeared in advertisements, presumably to reinforce preferred pronunciation, I propose renaming the article Spencer Cosens, his birth name or Cosens Spencer, his business name. Doug butler (talk) 23:39, 17 October 2024 (UTC)Reply

I see your point. Worth noting that the ADB entry (Collins 1990) is headed Cosens Spencer, while Pike and Cooper (1980) use Charles Cozens Spencer, as does Eric Reade (1975 and 1978). I think the business name is the safest way to go. Nickm57 (talk) 02:01, 19 October 2024 (UTC)Reply