Folklore Collections at Indiana University

Consists of the papers of Richard Mercer Dorson, 1916-1981, Indiana University professor and internationally renowned folklorist. The correspondence section, consisting of approximately 14,500 items arranged chronologically, documents Dorson's determination to turn the American Folklore Society and American folklore studies away from amateurism toward rigorous scholarship. The correspondence also shows Dorson's wide network of national and international relationships established with numerous scholars over the years. Writings in the collection are divided into those by Dorson and those by other folklorists, historians, and colleagues. Fieldwork and research materials in the collection include notes, transcriptions, and field tapes. Dorson's Indiana University related files include materials for the Folklore Institute, the Folklore Archives, the Archives of Traditional Music, the History Department, and various university committees. Also here are papers of folklore and history students, dissertation materials, and Dorson's class notes.

Collection consists of the papers of Stith Thompson, 1885-1976, including correspondence; writings by Thompson; biographical and autobiographical materials such as travel files and diaries; materials relating to professional societies and conferences to which he belonged and attended; and family genealogies on which he worked over the years.

The Degh mss., 1968-1978, consists of the manuscripts of writings by Linda Dégh, 1920-2014, professor of folklore at Indiana University, Bloomington.

The Johnson, John mss., 2013, consist of teaching materials for Professor John Johnson's course, "Folklore in Film."