Books by John Rhys

The interest of John Rhys (1840-1915) in linguistics was fired by attending the lectures of German philologists while studying abroad. In this 1877 work, which established his reputation, he emphasised that comparative philology of the Celtic languages was a young discipline, but this pioneering work still repays study today.

A pioneer in establishing the field of Celtic studies, John Rhys (1840-1915) became the first professor of Celtic languages at Oxford in 1877. This two-volume work, published in 1901, illuminates folklore fieldwork and its difficulties. For each text, Rhys provides information about his sources, and an English translation.

Important collections of Celtic folklore and one of the most important collections of Welsh folk and fairy legend, including many stories of fairy women who become wives and lovers. Many of these are from the lakes of Wales. John Rhys collected these tales from the Welsh speaking people. Their relationship to the Medieval manuscript material such as the Mabinogion and the Arthurian romances is amazing. The Lady of the Lake is a sister to many of the Lake Fairies here discussed. Included are a list of bibliographical references and a geographical list of authorities.At the time of original publication in 1901, John Rhys, D. Litt., was Professor of Celtic and Principal of Jesus College, Oxford University.