William Henry Schofield
Encyclopedia
William Henry Schofield was an American
academic, founder of the Harvard Studies in Comparative Literature. He was professor of comparative literature
at Harvard University
, and president of the American-Scandinavian Foundation (1916–1919).
He taught Old Norse
at Harvard from 1900 and from 1906 was director of the new Comparative Literature department.
and Shakespeare, and volume V in the same series, Mythical Bards and The Life of William Wallace published 1920, about Blind Harry
, Major's evidence, Master Blair and William Wallace
. Both were published by the Harvard University Press.
The Studies on the Libeaus Desconus (1895) was later used to track Malory's sources. In this work on the Libeaus Desconus
, Schofield argued that the original of the Fair Unknown theme was Perceval
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic, founder of the Harvard Studies in Comparative Literature. He was professor of comparative literature
Comparative literature
Comparative literature is an academic field dealing with the literature of two or more different linguistic, cultural or national groups...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, and president of the American-Scandinavian Foundation (1916–1919).
He taught Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
at Harvard from 1900 and from 1906 was director of the new Comparative Literature department.
Works
Some of the best known are volume II in Harvard Studies in Comparative Literature, Chivalry in English Literature, published 1912 and on Chaucer, Malory, SpenserSpenser
Spenser is an alternative spelling of the British surname Spencer. It may refer to:Geographical places with the name Spenser:* Spenser Ecological District in New Zealand* Spenser Mountains, a range in the northern part of South Island, New Zealand...
and Shakespeare, and volume V in the same series, Mythical Bards and The Life of William Wallace published 1920, about Blind Harry
Blind Harry
Blind Harry , also known as Harry, Hary or Henry the Minstrel, is renowned as the author of The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace, also known as The Wallace...
, Major's evidence, Master Blair and William Wallace
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
. Both were published by the Harvard University Press.
The Studies on the Libeaus Desconus (1895) was later used to track Malory's sources. In this work on the Libeaus Desconus
Libeaus Desconus
Libeaus Desconus is a 14th century Middle English version of the popular "Fair Unknown" story. Its author is thought to be Thomas Chestre. The story matter displays strong parallels to that of Renaut de Beaujeu's Le Bel Inconnu; both versions describe the adventures of Gingalain, the son of King...
, Schofield argued that the original of the Fair Unknown theme was Perceval
Perceval
Perceval may refer to*Spencer Perceval, British prime minister*Percival or Perceval, Arthurian knight...
.
- The source and history of the seventh novel of the seventh day in the Decameron (1893)
- Studies on the Libeaus Desconus (1895)
- The lay of Guingamor (1897)
- The Home of the Eddic Poems with Especial Reference to the Helgi-Lays by Sophus BuggeSophus BuggeSophus Bugge was a noted Norwegian philologist and linguist. His scientific work was directed to the study of runic inscriptions and Norse philology. Bugge is best known for his theories and his work on the runic alphabet and the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda. -Background:Elseus Sophus Bugge was...
(1899) translator - The lays of Graelent and Lanval and the story of Wayland (1900)
- Ibsen's Masterbuilder (1900)
- Chaucer's Franklin's tales (1901)
- Signy's lament (1902)
- The story of Horn and Rimenhild (1903)
- The nature and fabric of the Pearl (1904)
- English literature : from the Norman conquest to Chaucer (1906)
- Symbolism, allegory, and autobiography in the Pearl (1909)
- Romance, vision & satire : English alliterative poems of the 14th century (1912) with Jessie WestonJessie WestonJessie Laidlay Weston was an independent scholar and folklorist, working mainly on mediaeval Arthurian texts.Her best-known work is From Ritual to Romance ; this book is now available as an online text, as are others of hers...
- Chivalry in English literature : Chaucer, Malory, Spenser, and Shakespeare (1912)
- The sea-battle in Chaucer's Legend of Cleopatra (1913)
- The chief historical error in Barbour's Bruce (1916)
- An American international institute for education (1918)
- Mythical bards and The life of William Wallace (1920)