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Charles Godfrey Leland (August 15, 1824 – March 20, 1903) was an American humorist and folklorist, born in
Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...
,
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
. He was educated at
Princeton University Princeton University is a private university, private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial Colleges, fourth-oldest ins ...
and in Europe. Leland worked in journalism, travelled extensively, and became interested in folklore and folk linguistics. He published books and articles on American and European languages and folk traditions. He worked in a wide variety of trades, achieved recognition as the author of the comic ''Hans Breitmann’s Ballads'', and fought in two conflicts. He wrote '' Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches'', which became a primary source text for
Neopaganism Modern paganism, also known as contemporary paganism and neopaganism, is a term for a religion or family of religions influenced by the various Paganism, historical pre-Christian beliefs of pre-modern peoples in Europe and adjacent areas of No ...
half a century later.


Early life

Leland was born to Charles Leland, a commission merchant, and Charlotte Godfrey on 15 August 1824 in
Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...
,
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
. His mother was a protegee of
Hannah Adams Hannah Adams (October 2, 1755December 15, 1831) was an American author of books on comparative religion and early United States history. She was born in Medfield, Massachusetts and died in Brookline. Adams was the first woman in the U.S. who worke ...
, the first American woman to write professionally. Leland believed he was descended from John Leland, among other illustrious antiquaries. Leland claimed to have been influenced as a child by intellectual figures such as
Lafayette Lafayette or La Fayette may refer to: People * Lafayette (name), a list of people with the surname Lafayette or La Fayette or the given name Lafayette * House of La Fayette, a French noble family ** Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757â ...
and Nicolas GouĂŻn Dufief. Leland recounted that shortly after his birth, his Dutch nurse took him to the family attic and performed a ritual involving a Bible, a key, a knife, lighted candles, money, and salt to ensure him a long life as "a scholar and a wizard." His biographers refer to this account as foreshadowing his interest in folk traditions and
magic Magic or Magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces * Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic * Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...
. cited in The poet
George Henry Boker George Henry Boker (October 6, 1823 – January 2, 1890) was an American poet, playwright, and diplomat. Early years and education Boker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was Charles S. Boker, a wealthy banker, whose financi ...
was his neighbour in youth, and the two maintained a friendship through adulthood.
George B. McClellan George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was an American soldier, Civil War Union general, civil engineer, railroad executive, and politician who served as the 24th governor of New Jersey. A graduate of West Point, McCl ...
was a classmate. Leland's early education was in the United States, and he attended college at
Princeton University Princeton University is a private university, private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial Colleges, fourth-oldest ins ...
. During his schooling, he studied languages, wrote poetry, and pursued a variety of other interests, including
Hermeticism Hermeticism, or Hermetism, is a philosophical system that is primarily based on the purported teachings of Hermes Trismegistus (a legendary Hellenistic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth). These teachings are containe ...
,
Neoplatonism Neoplatonism is a strand of Platonism, Platonic philosophy that emerged in the 3rd century AD against the background of Hellenistic philosophy and Hellenistic religion, religion. The term does not encapsulate a set of ideas as much as a chain of ...
, and the writings of Rabelais and Villon. After college, Leland went to Europe to continue his studies, first in Germany, at
Heidelberg Heidelberg (; Palatine German language, Palatine German: ''Heidlberg'') is a city in the States of Germany, German state of Baden-WĂŒrttemberg, situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. As of the 2016 census, its population was 159,914 ...
and
Munich Munich ( ; german: MĂŒnchen ; bar, Minga ) is the capital and most populous city of the States of Germany, German state of Bavaria. With a population of 1,558,395 inhabitants as of 31 July 2020, it is the List of cities in Germany by popu ...
, and in 1848 at the
Sorbonne Sorbonne may refer to: * Sorbonne (building), historic building in Paris, which housed the University of Paris and is now shared among multiple universities. *the University of Paris (c. 1150 – 1970) *one of its components or linked institution, ...
in
Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 kmÂČ (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...
, where he became involved with the
Revolutions of 1848 in France The French Revolution of 1848 (french: Révolution française de 1848), also known as the February Revolution (), was a brief period of civil unrest in France, in February 1848, that led to the collapse of the July Monarchy and the foundation ...
, fighting at constructed barricades against the King's soldiers as a captain in the revolution.


Career


Journalism

Leland returned to the U.S. after the money given to him by his father for travel had run out and passed the bar in
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
. Instead of practicing law, he instead began a career in journalism. As a journalist, Leland wrote for ''
The Illustrated News ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
'' in New York, the '' Evening Bulletin'' in Philadelphia and eventually took on editorial duties for ''
Graham's Magazine ''Graham's Magazine'' was a nineteenth-century periodical based in Philadelphia established by George Rex Graham and published from 1840 to 1858. It was alternatively referred to as ''Graham's Lady's and Gentleman's Magazine'' (1841–1842, and J ...
'', and the ''
Philadelphia Press ''The Philadelphia Press'' (or ''The Press'') is a defunct newspaper that was published from August 1, 1857, to October 1, 1920. The paper was founded by John Weiss Forney. Charles Emory Smith was editor and owned a stake in the paper from 1880 un ...
''. In 1856 Leland married Eliza Bella "Isabel" Fisher. Leland was also an editor for the ''
Continental Monthly Continental may refer to: Places * Continent, the major landmasses of Earth * Continental, Arizona, a small community in Pima County, Arizona, US * Continental, Ohio, a small town in Putnam County, US Arts and entertainment * ''Continental'' (a ...
'', a pro-
Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...
publication. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1863, and fought at the
Battle of Gettysburg The Battle of Gettysburg () was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, by Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. In the battle, Union Major General George Meade's Army of the Po ...
. Leland coined the term "emancipation" as an alternative to " abolition" to refer to the anti-slavery position.


Folklore research

Leland returned to Europe in 1869, and travelled widely, eventually settling in
London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
. His fame during his lifetime rested chiefly on his comic ''Hans Breitmann’s Ballads'' (1871), written in a combination of broken
English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...
and
German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...
(not to be confused, as it often has been, with Pennsylvania German). In recent times his writings on pagan and Aryan traditions have eclipsed the now largely forgotten Breitmann ballads, influencing the development of
Wicca Wicca () is a modern Pagan religion. Scholars of religion categorise it as both a new religious movement and as part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism. It was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century and was ...
and modern paganism. In his travels, he made a study of the
Gypsies The Romani (also spelled Romany or Rromani , ), colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants. They live in Europe and Anatolia, and have diaspora populations located worldwide, with sign ...
, on whom he wrote more than one book. Leland began to publish a number of books on
ethnography Ethnography (from Greek ''ethnos'' "folk, people, nation" and ''grapho'' "I write") is a branch of anthropology and the systematic study of individual cultures. Ethnography explores cultural phenomena from the point of view of the subject o ...
, folklore and language. His writings on Algonquian and gypsy culture were part of the contemporary interest in
pagan Paganism (from classical Latin ''pāgānus'' "rural", "rustic", later "civilian") is a term first used in the fourth century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism, or ethnic religions other than Judaism. ...
and
Aryan Aryan or Arya (, Indo-Iranian *''arya'') is a term originally used as an ethnocultural self-designation by Indo-Iranians in ancient times, in contrast to the nearby outsiders known as 'non-Aryan' (*''an-arya''). In Ancient India, the term ' ...
traditions. Scholars have found Leland had taken significant liberties with his research. In his book ''The Algonquin Legends of New England'' Leland attempts to link Wabanki culture and history to the Norse. It has also come to light that Leland altered some of those folk tales in order to lend credence to his theory. He erroneously claimed to have discovered "the fifth Celtic tongue": the form of
Cant Cant, CANT, canting, or canted may refer to: Language * Cant (language), a secret language * Beurla Reagaird, a language of the Scottish Highland Travellers * Scottish Cant, a language of the Scottish Lowland Travellers * Shelta or the Cant, a la ...
, spoken among
Irish Travellers Irish Travellers ( ga, an lucht siĂșil, meaning "the walking people"), also known as Pavees or MincĂ©irs (Shelta: MincĂ©irĂ­), are a traditionally List of nomadic peoples#Peripatetic, peripatetic indigenous Ethnic group, ethno-cultural group ...
, which he named
Shelta Shelta (; Irish: ''Seiltis'') is a language spoken by Rilantu Mincéirí (Irish Travellers), particularly in Ireland and the United Kingdom.McArthur, T. (ed.) ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (1992) Oxford University Press It i ...
. Leland became president of the English
Gypsy Lore Society The Gypsy Lore Society was founded in Great Britain in 1888 to unite persons interested in the history and lore of Gypsies and rovers and to establish closer contacts among scholars studying aspects of such cultures. History David MacRitchie w ...
in 1888. Eleven years later Godfrey produced '' Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches'', reportedly containing the traditional beliefs of Italian witchcraft as conveyed him in a manuscript provided by a woman named Maddalena, whom he refers to as his "witch informant." See Leland's description in the appendix. This remains his most influential book. ''Aradias accuracy has been disputed,See and especially for a discussion of the dispute and used by others as a study of witch lore in 19th century Italy.


Art education

Leland was also a pioneer of art and design education, becoming an important influence on the Arts and Crafts movement. In his memoirs he wrote, "The story of what is to me by far the most interesting period of my life remains to be written. This embraces an account of my labour for many years in introducing Industrial Art as a branch of education in schools." He was involved in a series of books on industrial arts and crafts, including ''Pyrography or burnt-wood etching'' (1876), co-authored with Thomas Bolas (revised by Frank H Ball and G J Fowler in 1900). He was, more significantly, the founder and first director of the Public School of Industrial Art in Philadelphia (not to be confused with the contemporaneous
Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art The Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art (PMSIA), also referred to as the School of Applied Art, was chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on February 26, 1876, as both a museum and teaching institution. This was in response to t ...
). This originated as a school to teach crafts to disadvantaged children and became widely known when it was praised by
Oscar Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is ...
, who predicted his friend would be "recognised and honoured as one of the great pioneers and leaders of the art of the future." The
Home Arts and Industries Association The Home Arts and Industries Association was part of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain. It was founded in 1884 by Eglantyne Louisa Jebb, mother of Save the Children founders, Dorothy and Eglantyne Jebb and Louisa Wilkins who helped start t ...
was founded in imitation of this initiative.


Translations

Leland translated the collective works of the German
Romanticist Romanticism (also known as the Romantic movement or Romantic era) was an artistic, literary, musical, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century, and in most areas was at its peak in the approximate ...
Heinrich Heine Christian Johann Heinrich Heine (; born Harry Heine; 13 December 1797 – 17 February 1856) was a German poet, writer and literary critic. He is best known outside Germany for his early lyric poetry, which was set to music in the form of '' Lied ...
, and poems by
Joseph Victor von Scheffel Joseph Victor von Scheffel (16 February 1826 – 9 April 1886) was a German poet and novelist. Biography He was born at Karlsruhe. His father, a retired major in the Baden army, was a civil engineer and member of the commission for regulating the ...
into English. He translated Eichendorff's novella ''
Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts ''Memoirs of a Good-for-Nothing'' (german: Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts, ) is a novella by Joseph von Eichendorff. Completed in 1823, it was first printed in 1826. The work is regarded as a pinnacle of musical prose. Eichendorff created an open ...
'' to English as ''Memoirs of a Good-for-Nothing'', published in New York in 1866 by Leypohlt & Holt.


Legacy

His biography was written by his niece
Elizabeth Robins Pennell Elizabeth Robins Pennell (February 21, 1855 – February 7, 1936) was an American writer who, for most of her adult life, made her home in London. A recent researcher summed her up as "an adventurous, accomplished, self-assured, well-known colum ...
, an American who also settled in London and made her living in part by writing about travels in Europe. Leland had encouraged her as a young woman to consider writing as a career, which she did with some success.


Select bibliography

*1855: ''Meister Karl’s Sketch-book'' *1864: ''Legends of Birds'' *1871: ''Hans Breitmann’s Ballads'' *1872: ''Pidgin-English Sing-Song'' *1872: ''The Music-Lesson of Confucius, and Other Poems'' *1873: ''The English Gipsies'' *1875: ''
Fusang Fusang () refers to various entities, most frequently a mythical tree or location east of China, described in ancient Chinese literature. In the ''Classic of Mountains and Seas'' and several contemporary texts, the term refers to a mythological ...
or the Discovery of America by Chinese Buddhist Priests in the Fifth Century'' *1879: ''Johnnykin and the Goblins'' *1882: ''The Gypsies'' *1884: ''Algonquin Legends'' *1891: ''Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling'' *1892: ''The Hundred Riddles of the Fairy Bellaria'' *1892: ''Etruscan Roman Remains in Popular Tradition'' *1892: ''Leather Work, A Practical Manual for Learners'' *1895: ''Songs of the Sea and Lays of the Land'' *1896: ''Legends of Florence Collected from the People'' (2 vols.) *1896: ''A Manual of Mending and Repairing with Diagrams'' *1897: ''A dictionary of slang, jargon & cant embracing English, American, and Anglo-Indian slang, pidgin English, gypsies' jargon and other irregular phraseology'' *1899: ''Unpublished Legends of Virgil'' *1899: ''Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches'' *1899: ''Have You a Strong Will?'' *1901: ''Legends of Virgil'' *1901: ''Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth, Mountainner, Scout, Pioneer, and Chief of the Crow Nation of Indians'' Edited by. *1902: ''Flaxius, or Leaves from the Life of an Immortal'' *1904: ''The Alternate Sex: or, The female Intellect in Man, and the Masculine in Woman''. "Mrs. Joseph Pennell lizabeth Robins Pennell... has kindly seen the book through the press." (New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1904)


Notes and references


Further reading

* Pennell, Elizabeth Robbins (1906). ''Charles Godfrey Leland: a Biography''. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Co. * * *


External links

* * * *
Charles Godfrey Leland
— An article on Leland and Italian Witchcraft
Hans Breitmann's Barty by C.G.Leland
- A folk rock version of Leland's ballad "Hans Breitmann's Barty" * {{DEFAULTSORT:Leland, Charles Godfrey 1824 births 1903 deaths Union Army soldiers American humorists American folklorists Writers from Philadelphia Princeton University alumni American newspaper editors Journalists from Pennsylvania