Myths and Folk-tales of the Russians, Western Slavs, and Magyars (eBook)

Jeremiah Curtin (1835–1906) was a renowned American translator, folklorist, and ethnographer, whose literary contributions were pivotal in preserving Eastern European and Native American folklore. Born in Detroit, Curtin exhibited an early interest in languages, which burgeoned into a passion that would encompass over twenty languages throughout his scholarly career. A graduate of Harvard University, he embarked on extensive travels which would later inform and enrich his ethnographical work. In his seminal book 'Myths and Folk-tales of the Russians, Western Slavs, and Magyars' (1890), Curtin compiled an impressive array of stories and myths, painting a vivid tableau of the rich oral traditions of these cultures. His work was not merely anthropological; he carefully translated and adapted these tales to make them accessible to a Western audience, retaining their original spirit and literary charm. Curtin's dedication to cultural preservation and his mastery of languages enabled him to become a significant conduit between diverse folk traditions and the scholarly and general reading public of his time. His contributions have been instrumental in the study of mythology and folklore, providing invaluable insights into the narratives that have shaped cultures' identities across the world.