Fletcher Gardner

Fletcher Gardner was an American doctor and writer born in 1869 and died in 1952. He is best known as one of the contributors to Philippine Folk-Tales, a collection that brought together traditional stories from across the Philippines and introduced them to a wider audience.

Although he is remembered here for folklore, Gardner also had a medical career, which gives his writing life an unusual shape. That mix of scientific training and interest in oral tradition helps explain why his work still stands out: he was part of an early effort to record stories that might otherwise have been lost in print.

Because reliable biographical information about him is limited online, many personal details are unclear. What can be confirmed is that his name remains attached to an important public-domain folklore collection, and that contribution continues to keep his work in circulation for modern readers.