Neil Philip

We are very sad to learn of the death of Dr Neil Philip, folklorist, writer and poet. He was a long-standing member of The Folklore Society, served on our Council in the 1980s, and published two books of our Henry Underhill folktale magic lantern slide sets, Guleesh and Drakestail,

Neil was a prodigious writer, publishing over 70 books.  His Penguin Book of English Folktales (1992), was revised and re-edited as The Watkins Book of English Folktales in  2022—this republication was met with recognition from numerous contemporary folklorists and writers, who hailed Neil's inspiration on their work. He will be much missed by those of us who knew him.

Roy Vickery says: ‘In the long ago days...on the day of the last lecture before the summer break, Leslie Grinsell would come along and goggle at Neil; couldn't take his eyes off him.’

Jack Zipes says: ‘He was one of the most kind and helpful people I ever knew. … He was a superb scholar and devoted to the study of folklore.’

Published 4th February 2026