Anu gives a link to an article about Mr. Burchfield's death in this week's AWADmail. Of course, the article being in the NYT, I won't be reading it. He also gives a quote, which I don't think is customary for the mail:
"The English language is rather like a monster accordion, stretchable at the
whim of the editor, compressible ad lib. -Robert Burchfield, lexicographer
(1923-2004)"

P.S.--Anu, did you get the idea from this thread?