author
Archer Taylor
1890–1973
A pioneering American folklorist, he became one of the best-known scholars of proverbs and riddles, bringing sharp literary and historical insight to everyday traditions. His work helped shape modern folklore studies in the United States and beyond.
1 Audiobook
A History of Bibliographies of Bibliographies
by Archer Taylor
About the author
Born in Philadelphia on August 1, 1890, he studied at Swarthmore College and went on to become a major figure in folklore, philology, and bibliography. He is especially remembered for his research on proverbs, riddles, folktales, and other traditional forms, and has often been described as one of the leading specialists in American and European folklore.
After teaching in the Midwest, he joined the University of California, Berkeley in 1939 as Professor of German Literature and Folklore, later serving as department chair. In California he became an important presence in the field, and he is also noted for helping found the California Folklore Society in 1941.
His influence lasted well beyond his lifetime: later folklorists continued to treat his books and articles as foundational, and a memorial lecture series was established in his honor. He died in Vallejo, California, on September 30, 1973.