CAMPBELL, Joseph John. White Plains, NY 26.3.1904 — Honolulu 30.10.1987. U.S. Scholar of Literature and Comparative Mythology and Religion. Son of hosiery importer and wholesaler Charles William C. (of Irish background) and Josephine Lynch, grew up in New Rochelle, NY. Graduated 1921 from Canterbury School in New Milford, CT. B.A. 1925 Columbia University in English Literature, M.A. 1927 in Medieval Literature. Further studies of Old French and Provençal (also of Sanskrit) in Paris and Munich. Never completed his Ph.D. In 1931-32 in California, mow befriended with John Steinbeck. From 1934 Professor of literature at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, NY, retired 1972. In 1955-56 travelled in South and East Asia. Married 1938 his student Jean Erdman (1916–2020), a dancer and choreographer, no children.On a visit to Europe in 1924 he met J. Krishnamurti and became interested in Indian thought. During WW II he became friend with —> H. Zimmer. His ideas about mythology and folklore have roused serious criticism.
Publications: Wrote much about literature and mythology.
– Edited several books of Zimmer.
– Baksheesh & Brahman: Indian Journals (1954–1955). Ed. by S. Larsen & A. Van Couvering. 1995.
Sources: Wikipedia, long article with photo, list of publications and further references.
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