For Fear Of Little Men: Euhemerism and Secret Fairy Peoples (with Justin Mullis)

What if 'fairies' are a memory of a squat race of mysterious pre-humans who lived in Europe before modern humans arrived?

Justin Mullis brings a LOT to the cabin in this episode. We cover: the origins of euhemerism and 'explanations' for Norse gods. Bernard Heuvelmans and euhemerism, our first (but not last!) connection to cryptozoology. Early famous supporters of a mystery race include Sir Walter Scott! Euhemerism used to explain troll legends in Sweden. Disenchantment and the changing attitudes towards folklore in the 19th century. David MacRitchie and the idea of the mystery fairy race. Encounters with African pygmies giving confirmation to this idea later in the 19th century. Connections to fantastic Victorian literature. Our boy Sabine Baring-Gould claiming the fairy race still exists. H. G. Wells' use of the trope. Madison Grant and the Passing Of The Great Race. E. F. Benson and (my favourite) The Horror Horn. And finally a deep-dive into the use of this trope by the heavy-hitters Arthur Machen, Lovecraft and Robert E Howard. The Hobbit, Homo floresiensis, and more connections to modern cryptozoology. You won't want to miss this one!

LINKS & REFERENCES

-Justin Mullis on Academia, including Cryptofiction and other writings

-Kaiju Transmissions (Podcast)

-Arthur Machen: Critical Essays, Antonio Sanna

-Conan And The Little People, On An Underwood No 5, Bobby Derie

-Deep Cuts In A Lovecraftian Vein, Bobby Derie

-The Paranormal And Popular Culture, edited by Caterine & Morehead

-Strange and Secret Peoples, Carole Silver

-Goblinlike, Fantastic: Little People and Deep Time at the Fin de Siecle, Emily Fergus

-Pallinghurst Barrow, Grant Allen

-Fians, Fairies And Picts, David MacRitchie