Background
Thomas Bulfinch was one of the eleven children of Charles Bulfinch and Hannah Apthorp, and was born on July 15, 1796 at Newton, Massachusetts.
(A beautifully packaged and affordably priced edition of t...)
A beautifully packaged and affordably priced edition of this classic, accessible guide to world mythology, unabridged and complete. Thomas Bulfinch collected and interpreted the legends of the world for everyday people, so that those who lacked extensive schooling could still understand the mythological allusions that fill classic and contemporary literature. Bulfinch’s Mythology began as three separate volumes in the 1850s and ’60s. Bulfinch published "The Age of Fable, or Stories of Gods and Heroes" in 1855 and then moved on to publish two more collections: "The Age of Chivalry, or the Legends of King Arthur" in 1858; and "Legends of Charlemagne, or Romance of the Middle Ages" in 1863. When Bulfinch died in 1867, the three volumes were combined and retitled Bulfinch's Mythology and reprinted in 1881. It has remained one of the most trusted English-language interpretations of Greek and Roman mythology, Arthurian legend, and medieval romance ever since. Our Cornerstone Edition of Bulfinch’s Mythology offers readers an easily portable, complete collection of all three volumes—the only such edition of this beloved anthology currently available.
https://www.amazon.com/Bulfinchs-Mythology-Introduction-Legend-Complete-Cornerstone/dp/0399169229?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=0399169229
(American author and banker Thomas Bulfinch is best known ...)
American author and banker Thomas Bulfinch is best known for his three separate works on mythology, “The Age of Fable, or Stories of Gods and Heroes”, “The Age of Chivalry, or Legends of King Arthur”, and “Legends of Charlemagne, or Romance of the Middle Ages” collectively entitled “Bulfinch’s Mythology,” which was first gathered together in one volume and published after his death in 1867. Carl J. Richard, Professor of History at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has praised “Bulfinch’s Mythology” as “one of the most popular books ever published in the United States and the standard work on classical mythology for nearly a century.” Consisting of prose retellings from three eras, “Bulfinch’s Mythology” relates the myths and legends of ancient Rome and Greece, the English tales of King Arthur, and the romances of the Middle Ages. It can be argued that no more accessible and comprehensive collection of the myths and legends of the western world exists than this work. This edition reproduces “Bulfinch’s Mythology” in its entirety and is printed on premium acid-free paper.
https://www.amazon.com/Bulfinchs-Mythology-Thomas-Bulfinch/dp/1420953044?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1420953044
(Bulfinch's Mythology is a collection of the works of Thom...)
Bulfinch's Mythology is a collection of the works of Thomas Bulfinch. It is a classic work of mythology. Includes an extensive glossary and detailed table of contents. Close to 500 pages full of essential information for anyone interested in the study of mythology.
https://www.amazon.com/Bulfinchs-Mythology-Volumes-Chivalry-Charlemagne/dp/1440426309?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1440426309
(Orpheus leading his beloved Eurydice back to life ...Ulys...)
Orpheus leading his beloved Eurydice back to life ...Ulysses battling to resist the mesmerising Sirens' song ...The tragedy of the vengeful Medea ...The timeless stories of the gods and goddesses of Greece and Rome are charged with passion and romance, magic and murder. Each one is brought to life beautifully in this lavishly illustrated edition of Thomas Bulfinch's "The Age of Fable" compiled by Bryan Holme. The narrative is clear and captivating, while the illustrations demonstrate the profound effect the myths had on the great artists of the West, via paintings and sculptures by masters from Botticelli to Picasso.
https://www.amazon.com/Myths-Greece-Rome-Bryan-Holme/dp/0140056432?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=0140056432
(Legendary tales of myth and romance written so everyone c...)
Legendary tales of myth and romance written so everyone can enjoy the stories! Can’t keep all your gods and goddesses straight? Wondering about mythological references in classic literature? Bulfinch’s Mythology offers approachable accounts of ancient legends in a compilation of the works of Thomas Bulfinch, banker and Latinist. This volume includes all three of Bulfinch’s original titles: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and The Legends of Charlemagne. Bulfinch states his purpose for the book clearly: “Our work is not for the learned, nor for the theologian, nor for the philosopher, but for the reader of English literature...who wishes to comprehend the allusions so frequently made by public speakers, lecturers, essayists, and poets, and those which occur in polite conversation.” This compilation was widely used as the authoritative text on mythology in schools for over a century.
https://www.amazon.com/Bulfinchs-Mythology-Leather-bound-Classics-Bulfinch/dp/1626861692?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1626861692
("Bulfinch's Mythology" is Thomas Bulfinch's classic colle...)
"Bulfinch's Mythology" is Thomas Bulfinch's classic collection of the three previously published volumes, "The Age of Fable, or Stories of Gods and Heroes", "The Age of Chivalry, or Legends of King Arthur", and "Legends of Charlemagne, or Romance of the Middle Ages". In this monumental volume are classic retellings of the world's greatest myths.
https://www.amazon.com/Bulfinchs-Mythology-Biographical-Introduction-Bulfinch-ebook/dp/B000FC1CXW?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000FC1CXW
( First published in 1855, Bulfinch's Mythology has intro...)
First published in 1855, Bulfinch's Mythology has introduced generations of readers to the great myths of Greece and Rome, as well as time-honored legends of Norse mythology, medieval, and chivalric tales, Oriental fables, and more. Readers have long admired Bulfinch's versions for the skill with which he wove various versions of a tale into a coherent whole, the vigor of his storytelling, and his abundant cross-references to poetry and painting, demonstrating the relationship of literature and art. Now The Age of Fable, the first section of the Mythology, is available in this inexpensive, highly readable edition. Drawing on the works of Homer, Ovid, Virgil, and other classical authors, as well as an immense trove of stories about the Norse gods and heroes, The Age of Fable offers lively retellings of the myths of the Greek and Roman gods: Venus and Adonis, Jupiter and Juno, Daphne and Apollo, and many others. The myths and legends so vividly retold in this volume underlie much of the art, literature, and culture of Western civilization. As Bulfinch put it, "Without a knowledge of mythology, much of the elegant literature of our own language cannot be understood and appreciated." With this inexpensive edition of The Age of Fable, readers can immerse themselves in these seminal myths, increasing their appreciation and understanding of Western culture, while enjoying the myths purely as the great stories they are.
https://www.amazon.com/Bulfinchs-Greek-Roman-Mythology-Editions/dp/0486411079?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=0486411079
Thomas Bulfinch was one of the eleven children of Charles Bulfinch and Hannah Apthorp, and was born on July 15, 1796 at Newton, Massachusetts.
His education was obtained at the Boston Latin School, Phillips Exeter Academy, and Harvard University, where he was graduated in 1814, having W. H. Prescott as a classmate.
After graduation Bulfinch taught for a year in the Boston Latin School and was then for a short time an assistant in the store of his elder brother. In 1818 he accompanied his family to Washington, D. C. , where his father had been appointed architect of the Capitol, and was in business there for six years.
In 1825 he returned to Boston and attempted various business enterprises, without success.
In 1837 he received a clerkship in the Merchants' Bank of Boston, which he held until his death. He seems to have lacked initiative in the world of affairs and to have been content with the small position which insured him a livelihood and left him considerable leisure, which he devoted to study and writing.
Natural history interested him and he was for six years secretary of the Boston Society of Natural History. He cared little for politics and hated controversy but supported William Lloyd Garrison in the anti-slavery movement. The Boy Inventor is a memoir of his brilliant pupil Matthew Edwards who died early.
Oregon and Eldorado was suggested by his father's connection, as an organizer, with a sea expedition to the Northwest coast, which had much to do with the discovery of the Columbia River. Greek and Roman mythology receive the most attention but chapters are devoted to Scandinavian, Celtic, and the various Oriental mythologies.
The Age of Chivalry is a similar but less successful attempt to popularize the Arthurian and early Welsh legends. At the time of his death Bulfinch was at work on Heroes and Sages of Greece and Rome.
He died in Boston and his funeral was held in King's Chapel.
(American author and banker Thomas Bulfinch is best known ...)
(Legendary tales of myth and romance written so everyone c...)
("Bulfinch's Mythology" is Thomas Bulfinch's classic colle...)
( First published in 1855, Bulfinch's Mythology has intro...)
(A beautifully packaged and affordably priced edition of t...)
(Bulfinch's Mythology is a collection of the works of Thom...)
(Orpheus leading his beloved Eurydice back to life ...Ulys...)
Quotations:
Bulfinch wrote in his preface:
"Our work is not for the learned, nor for the theologian, nor for the philosopher, but for the reader of English literature, of either sex, who wishes to comprehend the allusions so frequently made by public speakers, lecturers, essayists, and poets, and those which occur in polite conversation. "
In his preface, Bulfinch outlined his purpose, which was:
"an attempt to solve this problem, by telling the stories of mythology in such a manner as to make them a source of amusement. We have endeavored to tell them correctly, according to the ancient authorities, so that when the reader finds them referred to he may not be at a loss to recognize the reference. Thus we hope to teach mythology not as a study, but as a relaxation from study; to give our work the charm of a story-book, yet by means of it to impart a knowledge of an important branch of education. The index at the end will adapt it to the purposes of a reference, and make it a Classical Dictionary for the parlor. "
He was a member of the Boston Society of Natural History.
His short experience in teaching had interested him in boys and he was helpful to them on many later occasions. His was a gentle, modest personality. The excitement which his material life lacked he supplied by his mental absorption in the deeds of heroes and adventurers.
He always remained a bachelor and lived with his parents, to whom he was devoted.