Andrew Lang
Andrew Lang
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Andrew Lang was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and historian. He is often referred to as A. L., which stands for Andrew Lang.
Birth and Death Dates
Lang was born on March 31, 1844, in Selkirk, Scotland, and passed away on July 21, 1912, at the age of 68.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Andrew Lang was a Scottish national by birth and a writer by profession. He made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, poetry, history, and criticism.
Early Life
Lang's family moved to Edinburgh when he was just three years old, where his father became the Lord Advocate of Scotland. Andrew spent most of his childhood in Edinburgh and developed an interest in writing at a young age. His early life influenced him to pursue a career in literature, which would eventually lead to his success as a renowned writer.
Major Accomplishments
Andrew Lang's work spans multiple genres and mediums, showcasing his versatility as a writer. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Publishing over 100 volumes of poetry, fiction, criticism, and history
Translating numerous works from French into English
Creating the Blue Fairy Book, which was one of the first collections of fairy tales to be widely published
Writing influential literary critiques that helped shape the literary landscape
Notable Works or Actions
Lang's notable works include:
The Red Fairy Book (1890), a collection of fairy tales from around the world
The Blue Fairy Book (1889), another collection of fairy tales that became extremely popular among readers
The Mystery (1892), a novel that showcases his skill in crafting suspenseful stories
Adventures Among Books (1907), a collection of essays on literature and literary criticism
Impact and Legacy
Andrew Lang's contributions to literature have had a lasting impact. He helped popularize fairy tales, making them accessible to readers worldwide. His translations from French into English introduced many European authors to the British public for the first time.
Lang's influence extends beyond his writing. He played an important role in promoting Scottish culture and heritage. As a literary critic, he advocated for the importance of storytelling in shaping society.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Andrew Lang is widely quoted and remembered due to his:
Innovative approach to literature and history
Endless creativity and imagination as seen through his numerous publications
* Commitment to making literary works accessible to readers from diverse backgrounds
Quotes by Andrew Lang
Andrew Lang's insights on:

One gift the fairies gave me... the love of books, the magic key that opens the enchanted door.

The advantage of possessing a great empire is not to be able to do the evil that one desires, but to do all the good that one possibly can.

Indeed it is impossible to set limits to such coincidence, for it would indeed be extraordinary if extraordinary coincidences never occurred.

She believes that I love her!” cried the King. “What a fatal mistake! What is to be done to undeceive her?” “You know best,” answered the Mermaid, smiling kindly at him. “When people are as much in love with one another as you two are, they don’t need advice from anyone else.

My dear Prince, might I beg you to move a little more that way, for your nose casts such a shadow that I really cannot see what I have on my plate.

But the three hundred and sixty-five authors who try to write new fairy tales are very tiresome. They always begin with a little boy or girl who goes out and meets the fairies of polyanthuses and gardenias and apple blossoms: ‘Flowers and fruits, and other winged things.’ These fairies try to be funny, and fail; or they try to preach, and succeed.

I don’t think the idea of homosexuality is really taboo any more. Our culture is evolving. This is an exciting time to be living.


