This is a great loss to the #folklore world. #GillianBennett was one of the towering figures of the discipline, and her work remains essential and accessible.
During my PhD, one of my informants told me he'd read a brilliant book on belief but couldn't remember the title offhand. I got home to his email asking 'Gillian Bennett's Traditions of Belief - do you know it?' Yes, I did (I've all but worn my copy smooth), and I admired his taste.
I was struck at the recent AFS conference just how many eminent US scholars wanted to talk about British #folkloristics and specifically asked after Gillian.
I never met her in person, but we worked closely together on a #FolkloreSociety award judging panel. She was typically brilliant and insightful, but wholly supportive and welcoming. I treasure a copy of 100 Best British Ghost Stories that she randomly and kindly sent me on publication.
Blimey, look at that for a #folklore shortlist! This is the intense and intensely brilliant shortlist for this year's Katharine Briggs Award from the #FolkloreSociety. Winner to be announced 7 November...