Sir Arthur Allen Waugh

Sir Arthur Allen Waugh, (18911968) was a British civil servant in India and folklorist.

Early years and education Waugh was born on 25 July 1891 and educated at George Watson’s College and the University of Edinburgh.

In 1943, Waugh was called to Delhi to be made secretary of the Central War Supply Department. In 1945, Waugh was appointed to the Executive Council of the Governor-General. He was made Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in 1937, Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI) in 1943, and Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) in 1945.

Folklorist Following his retirement, Waugh increasingly spent his time researching legendary monsters, particularly sea creatures. He joined the Folklore Society, quickly becoming a member of its Council and serving as its President from 1959 to 1961. His Presidential lectures were on the topics of the folklore of merfolk and whales, and in 1961 he co-authored Sea Enchantress: The Tale of the Mermaid and her Kin. Waugh, Arthur (1961) "The Folklore of the Whale", Folklore, 72:2, 361-371 Benwell, Gwen & Waugh, Arthur (1961), Sea Enchantress: The Tale of the Mermaid and her Kin. New York: Citadel Press.