A tiny bibliography
The full listing of Baring-Gould's output will probably never be completed. Roger Bristow has been working on his bibliography for several years and has now published what is the closest we are likely to get (until the next time). If you are keen to obtain the fullest possible listing you should contact:
Dr Roger Bristow, Davidsland, Brendon Hill, Copplestone,
Devon, EX17 5NX, United Kingdom
Otherwise, here is a short list of some of the books related to folk song and to the places and people of Devon and Cornwall. I have also listed the biographies of Baring-Gould that are available.
Folk song collections:
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Songs of the West (with H Fleetwood Sheppard The first collection of folk songs published by Baring-Gould selected from those collected from the mouths of the people of Devon and Cornwall. Comprehensive notes on the songs and their background are included |
First published by Patey and Willis in 4 parts 1889-91 (Republished in one volume by Methuen & Co 1895, Completely revised edition (with Cecil Sharp) 1905) |
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A Garland of Country Songs Baring-Gould and Sheppard's second collection brought in songs from other parts of England |
Methuen and Co, 1895 |
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English Minstrelsie (8 volumes) A collection of English song which includes art and popular song as well as some folk songs. Wonderfully illustrated and with copious notes and essays, including one on folk song |
TC & JC Jack, 1895 |
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English Folk Songs for Schools Written with Cecil Sharp, a collection of songs intended to instil a love of English song in children |
J Curwen, 1906 |
Books about Devon
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A Book of the West - Volume 1: Devon A mixture of geography, history and tall tales woven into an entertaining tour of Devonshire. |
Methuen & Co, 1899 (republished in 1903 as ‘A book of Devon’) |
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A Book of Dartmoor Similar in style to the Book of the West but focused on Dartmoor and covering S B-G’s archaeological adventures and theories in some detail |
Methuen & Co, 1900 |
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Devonshire Characters and Strange Events A remarkable collection of stories and historical sketches on a wide range of topics related to Devon and to some of its notable inhabitants |
J Lane, 1908 |
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Devon (A Methuen’s Little Guide) A conventional guide-book with occasional flashes of authentic Baring-Gould |
Methuen & Co, 1907 (remained in print until 1949) |
Other books I like:
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Old Country Life A picture of country life in the second half of the Last century through Baring-Gould's eyes. A very enjoyable book that includes chapters on folk song and on village music |
Methuen & Co, 1889 |
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An Old English Home Describes the growth of English houses great and small and the families that lived in them |
Methuen & Co, 1898 |
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Cornish Characters and Strange Events As above, this time for Cornwall |
J Lane, 1909 |
Biographies:
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'Early Reminiscences' and 'Further Reminiscences' Baring-Gould's two volumes of autobiography - the third was destroyed by him before his death. A book that tells us a lot and reveals very little. Both volumes are a 'good read' with an excellent chapter on Folk Song in 'Further Reminiscences. |
John Lane The Bodley Head Ltd, 1923 and 1925 |
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'Now The Day Is Over' This, the most recently published biography does shed a little extra light on Baring-Gould, but does not make use of the more recently discovered material. |
Richard Kay. Boston (Lincs), 1997 |
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'Sabine Baring-Gould' As his Grandson you would expect Dickinson to have had access to family papers. Unfortunately, because Lew Manor was tenanted during the years in which this book was written this was not the case as he could not get access to them. This is, nonetheless, the definitive biography |
David and Charles, Newton Abbot, 1970 |
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'Onward Christian Soldier' My favourite of the biographies - also the first |
Longmans, Green and Co, London, 1957 |
Updated 3rd December 2000