Antedating of "Lyricist"

[Michael Quinion]

> lyricist (OED, 2., 1909)
>
> 1904 _Wash. Post_ 24 Feb.  In one instance only has he rewritten the
> words to a song.  This was wise, as the amateur lyricist is a person to
> be shunned.

I can't improve on that in relation to songs, but I have just
accidentally antedated the poetic sense, which OED dates from 1881:

1875 Scribners Monthly May 105/2 For our part, we are content with a
much less range for her, believing her to be a fine and faithful
lyricist, and though to some extent visibly affected by Emerson, yet
hardly injuriously so,--if not a great original power, still a figure
unique among women poets, and, we think, the strongest woman poet yet
arisen in America. [Via MoA, Cornell]

--
Michael Quinion
Editor, World Wide Words
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