William Thoms (16 November 1803 – 15 August 1885) was an English writer, antiquarian, and editor, widely recognized for coining the term "folklore" in 1846.
Biography
Born in Westminster, London, Thoms pursued a career that spanned various administrative and scholarly roles. He began as a clerk in the Secretary's Office at Chelsea Hospital. His intellectual interests led him into antiquarian studies. He served as the Secretary of the Camden Society, a historical text publication society, from 1838 to 1873. For many years, he also held the position of a librarian at the House of Lords.
Coining of "Folklore"
Thoms's most enduring legacy is his contribution to the vocabulary of cultural studies. In a letter published in the British literary journal
The Athenaeum on August 22, 1846, he proposed the creation of the term "folk-lore." He suggested this new compound word as a more precise and succinct alternative to the existing phrase "popular antiquities," which he felt was inadequate to describe the traditional beliefs, customs, and narratives of the common people. He explicitly defined it as "a good Saxon compound for the 'lore of the people'," encompassing "the traditions, customs, and superstitions of the uncultured classes." This coinage was rapidly adopted and significantly influenced the development of the academic discipline of folklore studies.
Works and Editorship
Beyond his linguistic innovation, Thoms was a prolific author and editor. He is particularly noted for founding and editing
Notes and Queries, an influential antiquarian journal, from its inception in 1849 until 1872. This periodical became a vital forum for scholars and enthusiasts to exchange information and queries on a broad spectrum of topics, including history, literature, etymology, and popular customs. Among his other published works were collections of early English prose romances, such as
A Collection of Early Prose Romances (1828), and numerous contributions to various encyclopedias and journals.
Legacy
William Thoms's creation of "folklore" provided a foundational term that helped to define and legitimize the systematic study of traditional cultures. His work as an editor and antiquarian also played a crucial role in the preservation, documentation, and dissemination of historical and cultural knowledge during the Victorian era.