Fee Greening
Illustrator
Books
Briggs (1898-1980) was a British folklorist, scholar and author, recognised today as the most important archivist of British folktales. Over the course of her life, she published fourteen books, lectured widely and was president of The Folklore Society. Her books were read and used by contemporaries including J.R.R. Tolkien. To reflect the monumental work Briggs did to collect, catalogue and publish folk stories from Britain and Ireland before the turn of the 21st century, The Folklore Society present an annual award in her honour. From brownies to Shetland selkies, Cornish spriggans to Nuckelavee (the most horrid of monsters in all of Britain) Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies is a treasury of stories, songs and creatures passed down from one generation to the next.
Praise:
'When it comes to the world of fairies Katharine Briggs is the greatest authority by many a league, and this is the finest guide ever written.'
PHILIP PULLMAN
'Katharine Briggs's Dictionary is truly wonderful: vivid, witty, and full of a profound and generous knowledge that will thrill both children and adults. Spectacular.'
KATHERINE RUNDELL
'Katharine Briggs is an editor of such surpassing knowledge that one suspects that she may have sources among witches, ghosts and fairies.'
DIANE PURKIS