Andrew Lang (1844–1912) was a Scottish writer, poet, historian, and folklorist recognized for his extensive contributions to the study and collection of fairy tales and mythology.
Born in Selkirk, he studied at the universities of St Andrews and Glasgow, then at Balliol College-Oxford. He later became a Fellow at Merton College, Oxford (1868–74,) focusing on myth, ritual, and totemism. In 1875, he moved to London to pursue journalism and entered into a sharp public debate with Max Müller over the interpretation of folk tales. Lang argued that folklore was the foundation of literary mythology.
He was a masterful storyteller and editor, best known for his Fairy Books series, beginning with The Blue Fairy Book (1889.) This collection introduced children to traditional folktales from around the world and inspired generations of readers. He followed it with The Red Fairy Book (1890,) The Green Fairy Book (1892,) and The Lilac Fairy Book (1910,) each featuring stories from different cultural traditions.
Beyond folklore, Lang authored works such as Myth, Ritual and Religion (1887) and Modern Mythology (1897.) He was known as a sharp, sometimes cantankerous critic. His other writings include History of Scotland (3 vols., 1899–1904,) History of English Literature (1912,) studies of various literary figures like Letters to Dead Authors (1886,) a translation of Homer, and several volumes of verse.
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Either all is chance, and being but chance is of no consequence, or God rules the world, and all is well.—Whatever befalls is just and right, and therefore not unendurable.
—Andrew Lang
Life’s more amusing than we thought.
—Andrew Lang
Topics: Humor
He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts: for support rather than illumination.
—Andrew Lang
Topics: Statistics
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