American Folklore

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

Tall tales, folklorists, art, and more

Discover the fun stories of American folklore, from tall tales to literary classics. Musical legends, key terms, and artists movements are also included.

Literature American Literature African-American Literature Spanish-American Literature Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable Children's Literature Art American Art North American Native Art Music Native-American Music American Music Timeline Jazz Country & Western Music Gospel Music Lyrics Ballad of Davy Crockett

Tall Tales Characters

• Ethan Allen, hero of the American Revolution
• Daniel Boone, frontiersman
• Paul Bunyan, lumberjack of legend
• Calamity Jane, frontier character
• John Chapman (J. Appleseed), pioneer
• Buffalo Bill Cody, scout and showman
• Davy Crockett, frontiersman
• Mike Fink, legendary frontiersman
• John Henry, legendary strongman
• Jesse James, outlaw
• Casey Jones, locomotive engineer
• Annie Oakley, theatrical performer and "dead shot"
• Pecos Bill, cowboy
• Betsy Ross, seamstress
• Uncle Sam, term used to mean U.S.

Key Terms

• ballad
• chantey
• customs
• folk dance
• folk song
• folktale
• legend
• spiritual
• tall tale
• urban legend (or myth)

Folklorists

• Jakob & Wilhelm Grimm
• Woody Guthrie
• Joel Chandler Harris
• John Lomax
• Charles Perrault
• Cecil Sharp
• William Sumner

External American Folklore Links

• American Folklore
• American Folklife Center
• American Folklore Society