THE HANDBOOK OF FOLKLORE

by Charlotte Sophia Burne

About the book is not written for the use of members of Anthropological Expeditions, whose work demands far more thorough acquaintance with the subject than could possibly be conveyed in a single volume. It is addressed to officers of the public services to missionaries, travellers settlers, and others whose lot is cast among uncivilized or half-civilized populations abroad; to residents in country places at home to medical men philanthropic workers and all educated persons whose lives and duties bring them into touch with the uneducated. Such persons have it in their power to contribute very greatly to the advance of an important study the value of which is as yet hardly fully appreciated ; and it is believed that they will be willing to do so, if only the way is pointed out to them. To do this is the aim of the Handbook of Folklore. About the Charlotte Sophia Burne (1850–1923) was an English author and editor, and the first woman to become president of the Folklore Society. Burne's works include the large collection, Shropshire Folklore, and preparation of the second edition of the Folklore Society's official Handbook of Folklore, she also contributed over seventy articles and reviews to its journals. Her appointment to various positions in the Society was unusual, having been previously held by its London members, and she was the first woman to become President or editor of its publications. A small amount of other material was published in newspapers and magazines. Burne's interest in history and antiquities, and subsequently folk-lore, was probably fostered by her mother. She was prompted by those connected to the family to compile a genealogical history of the Mildmay family, her first manuscript for this still exists, and the editing of the po

Genres: Folklore

376 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[MisterFweem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think if I were Welsh, this book might offend me -- because Charlotte Burne constantly refers to the Welsh as she writes about "lower races" and the cutesy little bits of folklore they follow.

But no matter. Though written in 1911 -- I have to remind myself of this; it's from a different era -- the book is a deeply satisfying guide to human folklore, and a must-read for people who want to create their own folklore as they write stories, novels and such. Every writer should have a copy of this book on his or her bookshelf, because in it Burne outlines the basics of folklore in an accessible, easy to fathom format that can work as a handy guide for writers.

Additionally, this is a wonderful book for amateur cultural anthropologists who might wonder why Burne isnt' bothering to study the folklore of the -- to use her phraseology -- "higher" races, because it's not only the primitives who have folklore.

[Durga Joshi]

very good