Alice Werner

Born in 1859, Alice Werner was a British writer, teacher, and scholar best known for her work on African languages and folklore. She taught at King’s College London and became an important early specialist in Bantu languages, writing for both academic readers and general audiences.

Her books include Myths and Legends of the Bantu, The Natives of British Central Africa, and Introductory Sketch of the Bantu Languages. Through these works, she introduced many readers to traditional stories and cultural ideas from across parts of Africa, especially in eastern and central regions.

Werner died in 1935. Although some of her writing reflects the viewpoint of her time, her books remain notable for their wide range, their attention to language, and their role in preserving and sharing folklore that might otherwise have been less well known to English readers.