Andrew Lang Biography
Andrew Lang (31 March 1844 – 20 July 1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and anthropologist, best known for his collections of folk and fairy tales. Born in Selkirk, Scotland, he was the eldest of eight children. Lang was educated at Selkirk Grammar School, Edinburgh Academy, the University of St Andrews, and Balliol College, Oxford, where he achieved a first-class degree in classics in 1868.
In 1875, Lang married Leonora Blanche Alleyne, who played a significant role in his fairy tale collections, often translating and transcribing stories. Lang's "Fairy Books," beginning with The Blue Fairy Book in 1889, became renowned for bringing a wide range of fairy tales to English-speaking audiences, each volume distinguished by a different color.
Beyond his fairy tale collections, Lang was a prolific writer and critic, contributing to anthropology, history, and classical scholarship. He translated works such as Homer's Odyssey and Iliad, and wrote extensively on Scottish history and folklore. Lang passed away on 20 July 1912 in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, leaving behind a rich legacy in literature and folklore studies.
Trivia About Andrew Lang
- Lang's "Fairy Books" series includes twelve collections, each named after a different color, such as The Red Fairy Book and The Green Fairy Book.
- He was a founding member of the Society for Psychical Research, reflecting his interest in the paranormal.
- The University of St Andrews honors him with the "Andrew Lang Lecture" series, attracting notable speakers in the field of literature.
- Lang was an advocate for the study of folklore as an academic discipline, contributing significantly to its development.
Famous Quotes by Andrew Lang
- "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination."
- "You can cover a great deal of country in books."
- "Life is a comedy for those who think... and a tragedy for those who feel."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who was Andrew Lang?
Andrew Lang was a Scottish writer, poet, and literary critic, renowned for his collections of folk and fairy tales, as well as his contributions to anthropology and history.
What are Andrew Lang's "Fairy Books"?
Lang's "Fairy Books" are a series of twelve collections of fairy tales, each named after a different color, which played a significant role in popularizing such tales in the English-speaking world.
What was Leonora Blanche Alleyne's role in Lang's work?
Leonora Blanche Alleyne, Lang's wife, was instrumental in translating and transcribing many of the stories included in his fairy tale collections, though she was often uncredited.
Related Literary Movements
Andrew Lang was associated with the late Victorian interest in folklore and fairy tales, contributing to the academic study of these genres. His work also intersects with the Romantic revival of interest in traditional stories and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Andrew Lang books
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