Joseph Campbell Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Joseph Campbell Foundation is a US not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserve, protect and perpetuate the work of influential American mythologist Joseph Campbell
(1904–1987). It fosters academic and popular discussion in the fields of comparative mythology
and religion, psychology and culture through its publishing program, events, local groups (Mythological RoundTable(R) groups) and its internet presence.
The foundation was created in 1991 by Campbell's widow, choreographer Jean Erdman
, and by his longtime editor Robert Walter
, who continues to this day as the foundation's president.
Among the initiatives undertaken by the JCF are:
Joseph Campbell
Joseph John Campbell was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience...
(1904–1987). It fosters academic and popular discussion in the fields of comparative mythology
Comparative mythology
Comparative mythology is the comparison of myths from different cultures in an attempt to identify shared themes and characteristics. Comparative mythology has served a variety of academic purposes...
and religion, psychology and culture through its publishing program, events, local groups (Mythological RoundTable(R) groups) and its internet presence.
The foundation was created in 1991 by Campbell's widow, choreographer Jean Erdman
Jean Erdman
Jean Erdman is a dancer and choreographer of modern dance as well as an avant-garde theater director.-Early years:Erdman was born on February 20, 1916 in Honolulu, Hawaii...
, and by his longtime editor Robert Walter
Robert Walter (editor)
Robert Walter is an editor and an executive with several not-for-profit organizations. Most notably, he is the executive director and board president of the Joseph Campbell Foundation , an organization that he helped found in 1990 with choreographer Jean Erdman, Joseph Campbell's widow.In 1979,...
, who continues to this day as the foundation's president.
Among the initiatives undertaken by the JCF are:
- The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell, a series of books and recordings (both previously released and posthumous) that pulls together Campbell's myriad-minded work
- the Erdman Campbell Award
- the Mythological RoundTable(R) groups, a global network of local groups that explore the subjects of comparative mythology, psychology, religion and culture
- the collection of Campbell's personal library and papers housed at the OPUS Archives and Research CenterOPUS Archives and Research CenterOPUS Archives and Research Center holds the archival collections of scholars in the fields of mythology, depth psychology and archetypal psychology. The archival collections housed at OPUS include: Joseph Campbell, Marija Gimbutas, James Hillman, Jane Hollister Wheelwright and Joseph Wheelwright,...
(see below).