Arnold van Gennep

Arnold van Gennep (1873 – 1957) was born in Ludwigsburg, Kingdom of Württemberg. At the age of six his parents divorced and he and his mother moved to France where she later married a French doctor who moved the family to Savoy.

Van Gennep is best known for his work regarding rites of passage ceremonies and his significant works in modern French folklore. He is recognised as the founder of folklore studies in France. His major work in French folklore was Le Manuel de folklore français contemporain (1937-1958).
The photo shows Arnold van Gennep at the age of 80 years lighting the fire of St. John.