University College Dublin Honors Past AFS President Henry Glassie with Doctorate Degree
Henry Glassie, a renowned folklorist, was recently celebrated by University College Dublin (UCD) as they awarded him an honorary degree. This recognition marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of his influential book, *All Silver and No Brass*, and highlights his long-standing links with the National Folklore Collection and its predecessors.
Glassie, a highly respected scholar in the field of folklore studies, has spent decades immersing himself in cultures across the globe. His extensive fieldwork has taken him to countries such as Turkey, Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Japan, Nigeria, and the United States, where he has conducted in-depth ethnographic research and documented folk arts and oral traditions.
His work is marked by pioneering ethnographic methods, emphasizing participant observation, and he has collaborated with ethnomusicologists and other experts worldwide to enrich the study of folk traditions. This approach has helped preserve and project diverse cultural heritages across continents, earning him global acclaim.
In addition to his academic achievements, Glassie has held leadership roles in folklore organizations, including serving as president of the American Folklore Society. His contributions have been recognised with numerous honours, including an appointment to the United States National Council on the Humanities by President Bill Clinton.
Professor Bairbre Ní Fhloinn, a colleague at UCD, praised Glassie's work, stating that the stories he records are not merely data to be analysed but the lived experiences of real people. Claire Cronin, former American ambassador to Ireland, offered warm congratulations to Glassie, emphasising that his work demonstrates what American scholarship can achieve.
Despite not attending the conferring ceremony in person, Cronin's message was a significant part of the event, highlighting the impact of Glassie's work, not only in Ireland but elsewhere. Professor Glassie's work has deepened our collective understanding of the cultural fabric that unites and defines human beings, reshaping the field of folklore studies.
This honour from UCD is a testament to Glassie's dedication to preserving folk cultures worldwide and his academic rigour, positioning him as a major figure in global folklore scholarship.
- Henry Glassie's knowledge and insight gained through decades of fieldwork in folklore studies have contributed significantly to the education-and-self-development of numerous individuals, fostering personal-growth and profound learning about diverse cultural heritages.
- The honorary degree conferred upon Henry Glassie by University College Dublin serves as a symbol of the recognition of his advocacy for the preservation of folklore, reflecting the importance of learning from and understanding oral traditions and folk arts.
- Over the years, Henry Glassie's work has become synonymous with the fieldwork carried out in folklore studies, expanding the horizons of folklore research by delving deep into various cultures across the globe.
- Through his tireless efforts in ethnographic research, Henry Glassie has not only established himself as a leading scholar, but has also fostered a sense of unity and connection amongst different peoples, showcasing the power of stories in nurturing our collective human growth.
