Charles Montgomery Skinner (1852–1907) was an American journalist, author, and mythologist who dedicated much of his career to documenting the folklore of North America. Born in Victor, New York, Skinner worked extensively in journalism, most notably serving as an editor for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Through his newspaper work and independent research, he developed a deep interest in local legends, history, and natural science, which would define his literary legacy.
Skinner is best known for his multi-volume compilations of folklore, which sought to preserve oral traditions and regional myths before they were lost to modernization. His seminal work, Myths and Legends of Our Own Land, published in 1896, compiled hundreds of traditional tales from across the United States, organizing them by region. This collection remains a significant historical resource for American folklore studies, capturing indigenous stories, colonial ghost tales, and local superstitions.
In addition to his focus on domestic folklore, Skinner expanded his research to other regions, publishing works such as Myths and Legends of Beyond Our Borders (1899) and Myths and Legends of Our New Possessions and Protectorates (1900). He was also a playwright, writing works such as Villon, the Vagabond, which starred his brother, the prominent actor Otis Skinner. Skinner's writings on nature, including With Feet to the Earth (1898), further reflected his diverse intellectual interests and his appreciation for the natural world.
