Crossword Genius

Studied English to become an author (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reade

'an author' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'studied english' is the wordplay.
'studied' becomes 'read' (I've seen this before).
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'read'+'e'='READE'

'to become' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for reade that I've seen before include "Victorian writer" , "Charles --, English novelist" , "Victorian author" , "Charles -, The Cloister and the Hearth author" , "Roman name for York" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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