Ley, Willy

Ley, Willy (1906–1969) Although the term cryptozoology had yet to be coined when he was alive, German scientist Willy Ley helped popularize the serious consideration of mysterious beasts, such as the unicorn. Calling his discipline “romantic zoology” Ley argued that instead of dismissing stories of mysterious beasts without investigating them, scientists should study such accounts and try to find out whether a real animal might have been at their source. His widely read books include The Lungfish and the Unicorn: An Excursion into Romantic Zoology (1941), Dragons in Amber: Further Adventures of a Romantic Naturalist (1951), Salamanders and Other Wonders (1955), and Exotic Zoology (1959).

SEE ALSO:

• Cryptozoology

SOURCE:

The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Paranormal Phenomena – written by Patricia D. Netzley © 2006 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning