The term folklore entered the English language in 1846 through a letter published in the Athenaeum by a London-based clerk named William Thoms. By proposing this compound noun as a substitute for cumbersome phrases like popular antiquities, he provided a permanent label for the academic study of traditional cultural knowledge and oral history.
Antiquarian Pursuits and Literary Contributions
Born in 1803, Thoms built a professional career defined by historical research and literary editing. He began his publishing journey with the three-volume Early Prose Romances between 1827 and 1828, a project encouraged by Francis Douce that compiled traditional English tales. His literary output remained prolific throughout his life, encompassing works such as Lays and Legends in 1834, The Book of the Court in 1838, and an 1842 edition of John Stow’s Survey of London. He also utilized the pseudonym Ambrose Merton for several of his writings.
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Thoms balanced his literary interests with a stable career in civil service and institutional administration. He served as a clerk in the secretary's office at Chelsea Hospital and later transitioned to the House of Lords, where he acted as a clerk and subsequently as Deputy Librarian. In 1838, he became secretary to the Camden Society. A major development in his career occurred in 1849 when he founded the quarterly journal Notes and Queries. Serving as editor until 1872, he established the publication as a primary platform for documenting folk traditions, producing thousands of individual entries on the subject.
Advocacy for Photography
Beyond his textual research, Thoms was an early adopter of photography. He utilized Notes and Queries to disseminate reports on the emerging medium, fostering interest among his readers. His commitment to the field was demonstrated through his active participation in exhibitions, including the 1852 Society of Arts exhibition of photographs. He was also a founder member of the Photographic Society of London in 1853 and continued to display his work during the organization's subsequent exhibitions in 1854 and 1855.
Debunking Longevity Myths
During his later years in the 1870s, Thoms applied his investigative skills to the study of demography, specifically focusing on extreme age claims. He formulated the concept that reports of individuals living well beyond typical biological limits were frequently exaggerated or factually incorrect. He codified his methods for validating these claims in his 1873 book, Human Longevity: Its Facts and Fictions, followed by The Longevity of Man in 1879.
Fast facts
- Born: 1803, London
- Died: 1885, London
- Citizenship: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Notable work: Joe Miller, and the Jesters of All Climes and Times
- Affiliation: Society of Antiquaries of London
- Burial site: Brompton Cemetery
- Primary roles: Photographer, librarian, folklorist
Questions readers ask
What is William Thoms' most significant contribution to language?
He is credited with coining the term 'folklore' in 1846 to replace the term 'popular antiquities'.
What did Thoms investigate regarding human age?
He developed methods for debunking longevity myths, arguing that claims of extreme old age were often unsubstantiated.
Achievements
- Notable work: Joe Miller, and the Jesters of All Climes and Times
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