Cottie Arthur Burland

Cottie Arthur Burland (1905-1983) was a British writer and researcher who dedicated a significant portion of his career to the British Museum's Department of Ethnography. Educated at Regent Street Polytechnic and the University of Westminster, Burland's forty-year tenure at the museum, from 1925 to 1965, provided him with extensive knowledge of diverse cultures and their traditions. He also held an honorary curatorship at the Abbey Art Centre Museum and served briefly in the Royal Air Force during World War II.

Burland's prolific writing career spanned numerous subjects, including art, mythology, ancient religions, and the cultures of primitive peoples, with a particular focus on the ancient Americas. He authored over forty books and contributed to many others, publishing in journals like Natural History. His expertise led him to serve on the editorial board of 'Man, Myth & Magic: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Supernatural' and as an art critic for Arts Review. He was also affiliated with several academic societies, including the Royal Anthropological Institute and the Folk-Lore Society of London.

Cottie Arthur Burland's scholarly pursuits delved deeply into the rich tapestry of ancient American civilizations. His initial significant contribution, 'Gods of Mexico' (1948), was groundbreaking, exploring pre-Columbian religious manuscripts that had previously been little-studied. He continued to illuminate Native American cultures through works such as 'North American Indian Mythology' (1966) and 'Peoples of the Sun: The Civilizations of Pre-Columbian America.' His research culminated in a detailed examination of 'The Incas' (1979), offering further insights into the complex societies and belief systems of these ancient peoples.

Beyond ethnography and mythology, Burland was a notable researcher of occult traditions and magical practices, often linking them to broader mythological frameworks. His exploration into this domain began with 'Magic Books from Mexico' (1953), a work that investigated occult practices, animism, astrology, and witchcraft. He further expanded on these themes in subsequent books, including 'The Magical Arts: A Short History' (1966), 'Secrets of the Occult' (1972), and 'Beyond Science: A Journey into the Supernatural' (1973), providing a historical and analytical perspective on esoteric beliefs and phenomena.

Burland's academic interests also extended to the visual arts and the historical practice of alchemy. He authored 'The Art of Primitive Peoples' (1953) and 'The Exotic White Man: An Alien in Asian and African Art' (1969), examining the artistic expressions of various cultures. His engagement with alchemy was evident in 'The Arts of the Alchemists' (1967), a book that traced the history of this transformative practice. His work on 'Eskimo Art' (1973) further showcased his broad interest in diverse artistic traditions.