Alan Dundes is an anthropologist, and folklorist. He was a Professor of Folklore and Anthropology at the University of California Berkeley. Dr. Dundes was an expert on a wide variety of topics including urban folklore, cockfighting, proverbs, jokes, North American Indian folktales, and fairy tales. In 1993, he became the first American to win the Pitre Prize's Sigillo d'Oro. This is a life-time achievement award. The Pitre Prize is the top international prize in folklore and ethnography.
Dr. Dundes was born and raised in New York, New York where he lived until he graduated from high school. After high school he decided to attend Yale University. Dr. Dundes received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Yale in 1955. He then received his M.A.T. in English from Yale University in 1958. Finally Dr. Dundes received his Ph.D. in Folklore from Indiana University in 1962. He went right from being taught at a college to teaching at a college. In 1963 he joined the University of California: Berkeley faculty.
Dr. Dundes was a member of the American Folklore Society, the California Folklore Society, the American Anthropological Association and the International Society for Folk Narrative Research. He has written more than 150 journal articles and many books. Many of his books are held in very high regard. He has been awarded many times for his skills as an author. His books include: The Morphology of North American Indian Folktales (1964); Life is Like a Chicken Coop Ladder: A Study of German National Character Through Folklore (1984); Cracking Jokes: Studies of Sick Humor Cycles and Stereotypes (1987) and Folklore Matters (1989). These are just a sample of the many books that have been written by Dr. Alan Dundes.
Dr. Dundes was one of the most loved professors at Berkeley. In fact, in 1994 Dr. Dundes won the Distinguished Teacher Award. This award is given to one professor each year by the students and staff of Berkeley. In an interview he was quoted, “This award (distinguished teacher award) is among my greatest accomplishments.” Along with teaching he was also a very gifted lecturer. He has lectured all over the country, including some of the top ivy-league universities.
“Dr. Alan Dundes” http://biography.com/
“Professor Dundes” Berkeley faculty http://www.berkeley.edu/
Written by: Paul Detviler