Joseph Jacobs Paintings

Joseph Jacobs was an Australian-born folklorist, literary critic, historian, and writer of English literature, known especially for his work as a collector and publisher of English folk tales. He was born on August 29, 1854, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, to a family of Jewish immigrants from England. Jacobs was educated in Sydney at Sydney Grammar School, and later he went on to study at the University of Sydney where he won a scholarship for classics, mathematics, and chemistry. In 1872, he left for England to continue his education at St John's College, Cambridge, where he distinguished himself in the study of anthropology and graduated with a B.A. in 1876.

Jacobs's contributions to the field of folklore and fairy tales were significant. He is best remembered for his collections of fairy tales, which include 'English Fairy Tales' (1890), 'More English Fairy Tales' (1894), 'Celtic Fairy Tales' (1892), and 'More Celtic Fairy Tales' (1894), among others. These compilations have been popular among both children and adults, and have played a key role in preserving these stories for future generations. He sought out to compile authentically English stories, as opposed to the well-known German fairy tales popularized by the Brothers Grimm. In doing so, he was part of the wider folklore revival of the late 19th century, which sought to rediscover and celebrate indigenous folklore and traditions.

Apart from his work in folklore, Jacobs also made his mark as a critic and historian of Jewish history and literature. His works in this area include 'The Jews of Angevin England' (1893) and 'Jewish Ideals and Other Essays' (1896). He also edited the journal 'Folklore' and was a contributor to the Jewish Encyclopedia.

Jacobs moved to the United States in the early 20th century, where he worked as a revising editor for the 'Jewish Encyclopedia' and taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. His later years were also marked by his interest in the origins and history of the Jewish people, and he continued to write and lecture on the subject.

Joseph Jacobs passed away on January 30, 1916, in Yonkers, New York. His legacy endures through his extensive work, which continues to be read and appreciated for its contribution to the preservation and understanding of folklore, as well as his scholarly works on Jewish history.