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Writer's pictureSpike Deane

Chatbot on Fairytales



Me: A timeline of fairy tales Chatbot: ... Me: A more detailed and scholarly timeline? Chatbot: Sure! Here is a more detailed timeline of the history of fairy tales:





  • 9th-10th centuries: The earliest known written versions of fairy tales emerge in ancient Persia and India. These stories were often told orally and later written down, and included tales such as "The Thousand and One Nights" and "Panchatantra."

  • 14th-15th centuries: Fairy tales begin to appear in European literature, with authors such as Giovanni Boccaccio and Geoffrey Chaucer including elements of folklore and fantasy in their works.

  • 16th-17th centuries: Fairy tales gain popularity in Europe, with the publication of collections such as "The Pentamerone" by Giambattista Basile in Italy, "Contes de ma mère l'Oye" ("Tales of Mother Goose") by Charles Perrault in France, and "Fairy Tales" by the Neapolitan writer Girolamo Fracastoro.

  • 18th century: Fairy tales continue to be collected and published in Europe. The Brothers Grimm, German scholars and collectors of folk tales, begin to compile their own collection of fairy tales. Their first volume, "Children's and Household Tales," is published in 1812. Other influential collections of the time include "The Arabian Nights' Entertainments," which includes many stories that are now considered fairy tales.

  • 19th century: Hans Christian Andersen, a Danish author, writes numerous fairy tales that become widely popular, including "The Little Mermaid," "The Ugly Duckling," and "The Snow Queen." His stories often have a more sentimental and moralistic tone than the darker tales collected by the Brothers Grimm.

  • Late 19th century: Andrew Lang, a Scottish writer and folklorist, publishes a series of books called "The Coloured Fairy Books," which contain collections of fairy tales from around the world. These books were highly influential in popularizing fairy tales and making them accessible to a wider audience.

  • Early 20th century: Fairy tales continue to be popular in literature, with authors such as J.M. Barrie ("Peter Pan") and L. Frank Baum ("The Wizard of Oz") writing works that draw on fairy tale themes and motifs. In addition, the publication of the Oxford and Cambridge editions of the Grimms' tales in the early 20th century helped to establish them as classic works of literature.

  • Mid-20th century: Walt Disney Productions begins producing animated films based on fairy tales, starting with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937. These films helped to popularize fairy tales even further and made them a staple of popular culture.

  • Late 20th century: Fairy tale retellings become popular in literature, with authors like Angela Carter and Tanith Lee publishing feminist and darker versions of classic tales. In addition, scholars begin to explore the cultural and social significance of fairy tales, and the role they play in shaping our understanding of the world around us.

  • 21st century: Fairy tales continue to be adapted and retold in various forms, including books, movies, television shows, and video games. In addition, scholars continue to explore the rich history and cultural significance of fairy tales, and their enduring appeal to readers and audiences around the world.

My thoughts: A good start but has some significant gaps on any female writers before the late 20thC!

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