Joseph Campbell - Bio, Age, Chinese Zodiac Sign & Timeline

Born	March 26, 1904
Died	October 31, 1987 (age 83)
Birthplace	White Plains, New York, United States
Zodiac Sign	Aries - (see also Joseph Campbell's horoscope and birth chart)
Chinese Zodiac	Dragon
Generation	Greatest Generation
Known For	Authoring 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' and popularizing the concept of the monomyth or 'hero's journey.'

Intro

Joseph Campbell was an American professor, writer, and orator known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His ideas concerning the universality of mythological themes, especially the concept of the 'monomyth' or 'hero's journey,' have had a major influence on literature, psychology, and popular culture.

Early Life & Background

Joseph Campbell was born in White Plains, New York, in 1904. He was raised in an upper-middle-class Catholic family and developed an early interest in Native American mythology and storytelling, which later expanded to a broader fascination with global mythologies.

Career Highlights

Published 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' (1949), framing the concept of the 'hero's journey.'
Taught literature at Sarah Lawrence College for nearly four decades.
Created and hosted the PBS television series 'The Power of Myth' with Bill Moyers (1988).
Influenced writers and filmmakers, including George Lucas (whose Star Wars saga was inspired by Campbell's work).

Trivia

Campbell's phrase 'Follow your bliss' became widely cited, especially after 'The Power of Myth' series.
He was fluent in several languages, including French, German, and Sanskrit.
His works have deeply impacted modern storytelling, especially in Hollywood.

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