Timothy Harley

Timothy Harley is chiefly remembered for Moon Lore (1885), published as Rev. Timothy Harley, F.R.A.S. The book gathers myths, superstitions, literary references, and beliefs about the moon from many cultures, giving modern readers a vivid look at how the 19th century linked science, folklore, and wonder.

Reliable biographical details about Harley himself are surprisingly scarce. From the title pages and surviving editions of Moon Lore, he can be identified as a reverend and a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and his reputation today rests mainly on this single, unusual work.

That scarcity is part of his appeal: the author remains a shadowy figure, while the book endures. Moon Lore has been preserved by projects like Project Gutenberg and the Internet Archive, and it still attracts readers interested in folklore, cultural history, and the long human fascination with the moon.