The Henri Gaidoz Folklore Collection offers a rare opportunity to view the activity of Folklore Studies in 19th and early 20th centuries. The material was collected by M. Henri Gaidoz (1842-1932), a philologist and scholar of Celtic studies, and an expert in archaeology, religion, and mythology. From the holdings of the Folklore Collection at the Indiana University Library (Bloomington), these materials are now available to researchers around the world in UMI microfiche format.
The span of the collection encompasses more than 6,700 items and 100 years (primarily from the mid-19th to the early 20th centuries). M. Gaidoz, a noted author, professor, and researcher of his day, contributed greatly to the scholarly importance of Folklore Studies. His collection includes journal extracts, monographs and monograph excerpts, personal correspondence, and research notes. Of particular value are his handwritten notes that provide special insight into his research.
While the emphasis of the collection is French folklore studies and comparative folklore studies, the set has great interdisciplinary value, especially for researchers in Folklore Studies, Religion, Literature, French, Anthropology, European History, Celtic Studies, Mythology, and Philosophy.
The Gaidoz Collection includes over 100 subjects, such as, animals, history, fables, medicine, proverbs, saints, and werewolves. Though most titles are in French, some English, German, Italian, and Latin items were included.
The Gaidoz Collection is available as a complete set, or in five subject-based units. The following shows sample subjects included in each of the units:
Unit 1: Folklore & Mythology:
Unit 2: Religion Part 1 subjects include:
Unit 3: Religion Part 2 subjects include:
Unit 4: General Folklore Studies Part 1 subjects include:
Unit 5: General Folklore Studies Part 2 subjects include:
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Cults
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Customs
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Death and Burial
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Man, Prehistoric
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Numerals
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Oaths
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Occult Sciences
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Prophecies
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Symbolism
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Thunder
