In the perl README, in which Larry Wall delineates that perl may be distributed under either the terms of the GPL or Artistic License he also makes the following statement re: the Author and Authorship:

Just a personal note: I want you to know that I create nice things like this because it pleases the Author of my story. If this bothers you, then your notion of Authorship needs some revision. But you can use perl anyway. :-)

                      The author.

Au"thor (?), n. [OE. authour, autour, OF. autor, F. auteur, fr. L. auctor, sometimes, but erroneously, written autor or author, fr. augere to increase, to produce. See Auction, n.]

1.

The beginner, former, or first mover of anything; hence, the efficient cause of a thing; a creator; an originator.

Eternal King; thee, Author of all being. Milton.

2.

One who composes or writers a book; a composer, as distinguished from an editor, translator, or compiler.

The chief glory every people arises from its authors. Johnson.

3.

The editor of a periodical.

[Obs.]

4.

An informant.

[Archaic]

Chaucer.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Au"thor (?), v. t.

1.

To occasion; to originate.

[Obs.]

Such an overthrow . . . I have authored. Chapman.

2.

To tell; to say; to declare.

[Obs.]

More of him I dare not author. Massinger.

 

© Webster 1913.