Andrew Lang was a prolific nineteenth-century writer whose output encompassed poetry, history, anthropology, and translation. Born in Selkirk in 1844, he emerged as a versatile figure in British intellectual life. Throughout his career, he operated as an editor and journalist, contributing significantly to the fields of folklore and classical studies until his death in 1912.
Education and Early Career
Lang attended Selkirk Grammar School, Loretto School, and the Edinburgh Academy before enrolling at the University of St Andrews and Balliol College, Oxford. In 1868, he achieved a first-class degree in the final classical schools. He eventually held a fellowship at Merton College. His professional writing began with the 1872 publication of The Ballads and Lyrics of Old France, establishing a pattern of diverse literary activity.
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Though known for the multi-volume Andrew Lang's Fairy Books, beginning with The Blue Fairy Book in 1889, much of the transcription and translation work was performed by his wife, Leonora Blanche Lang. His scholarly focus on mythology included works such as Custom and Myth (1884) and Myth, Ritual and Religion (1887), where he argued that irrational mythological elements were survivals from primitive societies.
Classical Scholarship and History
Lang collaborated with S. H. Butcher to translate Homer's Odyssey in 1879, followed by an Iliad translation with E. Myers and Walter Leaf in 1883. His historical research, noted for its attention to detail, included The Mystery of Mary Stuart (1901) and an extensive History of Scotland from the Roman Occupation. He frequently challenged established academic views, often sparking controversy, such as his critical assessment of John Knox.
Anthropology and Psychical Research
As a founder of psychical research, Lang served as president of the Society for Psychical Research in 1911. He used his anthropological studies to critique materialism, specifically challenging E. B. Tylor’s theories on animism. His intellectual inquiries into spiritualism and folk traditions were reflected in publications like The Book of Dreams and Ghosts (1897) and The Secret of the Totem (1905).
Fast facts
- Born: 1844, Selkirk
- Died: 1912, Banchory
- Education: Balliol College, Oxford
- Notable work: Andrew Lang's Fairy Books
- Academic role: Fellow of the British Academy
- Spouse: Leonora Blanche Lang
- Professional society: The Folklore Society
- Languages: English, French
Questions readers ask
Did Andrew Lang write the Fairy Books alone?
No, while they bear his name, his wife Leonora Blanche Lang performed the majority of the translating and transcribing work for the collections.
What was the cause of Andrew Lang's death?
He died of angina pectoris on 20 July 1912 at the Tor-na-Coille Hotel in Banchory.
Achievements
- Fellow of the British Academy
- Notable work: Andrew Lang's Fairy Books
