The Fairy Mythology

Irish author Thomas Keightley, who was active during the 19th century, is considered a pioneer in the field of modern folklore studies. In his groundbreaking work, "The Fairy Mythology," he concludes that similar myths developed in different locations spontaneously, in the vein of the Brothers Grimm's approach, in which they compared the myths of one region to similar tales in other, unrelated regions. This upended the widely held belief that there was a common source to similar myths. This book spans eras from the Middle Ages through the Victorian period, covers distances ranging from Scandinavia to Southern Europe and Northern Africa, and discusses how fantastical figures such as dwarves, elves, and fairies play roles in stories from around the world. The book had three initial printings and continues to be reprinted to this day. Keightley was popular among Victorian literary figures and counted the romantic poet Dante Gabriele Rossetti as a close friend.