Charles M. (Charles Montgomery) Skinner

Born in Victor, New York, in 1852, Charles Montgomery Skinner became an American writer and journalist whose work ranged from newspapers to folklore. He worked in journalism in Hartford and later in New York, and he served as an editor at the Brooklyn Eagle.

Skinner is especially associated with collections of myths, legends, and superstitions drawn from across the United States. His books helped preserve local storytelling traditions at a time when rapid industrial growth was changing everyday American life, and his interest in cities, seasons, and public spaces also shaped some of his writing.

He died in 1907. Today he is chiefly remembered for bringing together regional tales, odd historical anecdotes, and supernatural lore in a way that made American folklore accessible to a wide general audience.