Folklore as an Historical Science
George Laurence Gomme, a founder of the Folk-Lore Society and longtime clerk to the London County Council, published Folklore as an Historical Science in 1908. He argues that folk customs, beliefs and tales are not random survivals but evidence of the earliest stages of social and religious history, and can be read by historians as seriously as documents. The book examines the relation between history and folklore, using tales from the Grimm collection as test cases, sets out materials and methods, and then considers the psychological, anthropological, sociological, European and ethnological conditions under which folklore was formed. It is a manifesto for a discipline as much as a study. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about Folklore as an Historical Science
Folklore as an Historical Science by George Laurence Gomme can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Folklore as an Historical Science online?
Yes. Folklore as an Historical Science opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Folklore as an Historical Science free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Folklore as an Historical Science is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Folklore as an Historical Science in the public domain?
Yes. Folklore as an Historical Science by George Laurence Gomme is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Folklore as an Historical Science?
About 7 h 30 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Folklore as an Historical Science?
Folklore as an Historical Science by George Laurence Gomme is filed under "Religion & Mythology" in the Vinteuil library.
