Lewis Spence

Lewis Spence was a prominent Scottish scholar, journalist and folklorist who made significant contributions to the study of mythology, folklore and the occult during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute and vice-president of the Scottish Anthropological and Folklore Society, he produced extensive works on Scottish, British, German and Mesoamerican mythology. After beginning his career in journalism as an editor for prestigious publications including The Scotsman and The British Weekly, Spence developed a particular fascination with Mexican and Central American mythology. His work popularizing the Mayan Popol Vuh in 1908 established him as an authority on Mesoamerican folklore, leading to the publication of his comprehensive Dictionary of Mythology in 1910. Spence's scholarly interests eventually shifted toward Scottish folklore and Celtic traditions, producing influential works like Mysteries of Celtic Britain. His dedication to Scottish cultural identity extended into politics, where he founded the Scottish National Movement and ran unsuccessfully for parliament in 1929. During his prolific career spanning over five decades (1874-1955), Spence authored numerous authoritative works on the occult and parapsychology, including his Encyclopedia of Occultism in 1920. His research covered an exceptionally broad range of subjects from Atlantis theories to Brythonic rites, establishing him as a significant figure in early 20th century folkloric studies.

Readers value Spence's detailed research and comprehensive coverage of mythology and folklore, particularly in his Encyclopedia of Occultism and works on Mesoamerican cultures. Many cite his accessible writing style that makes complex mythological concepts understandable. What readers liked: - Clear organization of mythological information - Inclusion of rare or obscure folklore - Historical context provided alongside myths - Thorough citations and references What readers disliked: - Dated Victorian-era writing style - Some outdated anthropological perspectives - Occasional speculation presented as fact - Limited availability of his works in print Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Encyclopedia of Occultism: 3.9/5 (127 ratings) - Mythologies of Ancient Mexico and Peru: 3.7/5 (43 ratings) - An Encyclopedia of Fairies: 3.8/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: - British Fairy Origins: 4.1/5 (16 reviews) - The Magic Arts in Celtic Britain: 4.3/5 (22 reviews) One reader noted: "His research remains valuable despite age." Another commented: "Dense but rewarding for serious mythology students."

The Myths and Legends of the North American Indians (1914) A systematic study of Native American mythology covering creation myths, cultural heroes, and ritual practices across different tribes.

The Civilisation of Ancient Mexico (1912) An examination of pre-Columbian Mexican societies focusing on their social structures, religious beliefs, and cultural achievements.

The Myths of Mexico and Peru (1913) A comprehensive analysis of Mesoamerican and Andean mythological systems and their relationship to religious practices.

Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt (1915) A detailed exploration of Egyptian mythology covering major deities, creation stories, and religious customs.

An Encyclopedia of Occultism (1920) A reference work covering various aspects of occult practices, psychic phenomena, and mystical traditions.

The Problem of Atlantis (1924) An investigation into historical and mythological evidence relating to the legend of Atlantis.

The Mysteries of Britain (1928) A study of ancient British magical traditions, folklore, and sacred sites.

The Magic Arts in Celtic Britain (1945) An examination of magical practices, druidism, and supernatural beliefs in Celtic societies.

The History and Origins of Druidism (1949) A historical analysis of druidic practices and their influence on British religious traditions.

British Fairy Origins (1946) An investigation into the origins and development of fairy folklore in British mythology.

James Frazer Published The Golden Bough which examines myths and religious beliefs across cultures with a comparative approach similar to Spence's methodology. His work on folklore and ancient religions covers many of the same Celtic and occult topics that interested Spence.

William Butler Yeats Documented Irish folklore and Celtic mythology while also exploring occult themes through both academic writing and poetry. His work with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn parallels Spence's interest in esoteric traditions.

Charles Godfrey Leland Wrote extensively about European folklore and witchcraft traditions, particularly in his work Aradia: Gospel of the Witches. His research into ancient pagan traditions and their survival into modern times mirrors Spence's investigations of Celtic folklore.

Margaret Murray Produced influential works on witchcraft and ancient religions in Britain, including The Witch-Cult in Western Europe. Her theories about surviving pre-Christian traditions align with Spence's research into Scottish folklore and ancient British customs.

W.Y. Evans-Wentz Studied Celtic folklore and authored The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries based on field research throughout Celtic nations. His work combining anthropological methods with folklore studies reflects Spence's approach to documenting Scottish and Celtic traditions.