Fife, Austin Edwin, 1909-1986.

Educators, folklorists. The Fifes were early pioneers of the scholarly pursuit of western American folklore and folk practices. Austin spent much of his life teaching French and French literature at USU and other schools in the U.S. Not until 1971 did he begin teaching in the field for which he is best known, folklore. He and research partner and wife, Alta Stephens, were married in 1934 and ammased a large collection of folklore and ways during their collecting days. As a team they applied principles learned from the great Arnold Van Gennep, and Aurilio Espinosa to the material gathered from their own Mormon culture. Their major works all bear both names as joint authors, testimony to their close professional ties, as well as familial relationship.

Educators, folklorists. The Fifes were early pioneers of the scholarly pursuit of western American folklore and folk practices. Austin spent much of his life teaching French and French literature at USU and other schools in the U.S. Not until 1971 did he begin teaching in the field for which he is best known, folklore. He and research partner and wife, Alta Stephens, were married in 1934 and ammased a large collection of folklore and ways during their collecting days. As a team they applied principles learned from the great Arnold Van Gennep and Aurilio Espinosa to the material gathered from their own Mormon culture. Their major works all bear both names as joint authors, testimony to their close professional ties as well as familial relations.