An unsung contributing hero of the Oxford English Dictionary, Shulman's most fulfulling experiences were antedating other citations.

I'm referencing the Seattle Times for those who don't wish (for some reason) to register with the New York Times:

"Hot dog" a "doozy" for word detective, 91

By DOUGLAS MARTIN
The New York Times

NEW YORK — David Shulman, 91, a self-described Sherlock Holmes of Americanisms who dug through obscure, often crumbling publications to hunt down the first use of thousands of words, died on Oct. 30 at Victory Memorial Hospital in Brooklyn.

His friend David Kahn announced the death.

Jesse Sheidlower, editor at large of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), said Mr. Shulman contributed uncountable early usages to the 20-volume lexicon. "All very good stuff," Sheidlower said.

"What David did was read through the sort of things most people don't read," he added, mentioning yellowing editions of The National Police Gazette.

Sheidlower said only a few contributors were more prolific and fewer still possessed Mr. Shulman's knack for sending usable material. His name appeared in the front matter to OED's epochal second edition, as well as each of the Addition Series volumes, and is currently on the Web.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002084525_shulmanobit07.html