Jonathan Young

Jonathan Young, PhD is a psychologist and storyteller who assisted mythologist Joseph Campbell for several years at seminars. He was the Founding Curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives and Library. As a professor, Dr. Young created and chaired the leading doctoral program in Mythological Studies. His books and articles deal with personal mythology. Dr. Young developed his deep love of stories through extensive initial exposure to folklore. He was one of six children in a much-traveled family. His parents read and discussed the lore of each place they visited, so he learned about the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, the Pied Piper in Hamlin, the Arabian Nights in Bagdad, the Buddha in India and Japan, and so forth. Dr. Young was also archivist for James Hillman, author of The Soul's Code and Marija Gimbutas, the leading scholar on the Goddess traditions of old Europe. He is part of a circle of experts on story convened by legendary producer Peter Gruber. He lectures often at major universities, most recently at the UCLA School of Medicine. When not traveling to speak on the symbolism of mythic stories, Dr. Young lives with his cat in an old house in Santa Barbara, California.