M.R. James and the tradition of Christmas ghost stories

by Timothy Page

Montague Rhodes James, a medieval scholar, antiquarian, and writer of supernatural fiction, was born on August 1, 1862, in Goodnestone, Kent, England. James would go on to become one of the most celebrated authors of ghost stories in the English language. His work is closely associated with the tradition of reading ghost stories on Christmas, a practice that originated in the Victorian era.

The Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas dates back to the German custom of “Bescherung,” where families would share tales of the supernatural on Christmas Eve. Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” published in 1843, also played a significant role in popularizing the practice. The story’s ghostly visitation on Christmas Eve helped cement the connection between Christmas and the supernatural in the public imagination.

During his time as a fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, James developed a passion for telling ghost stories. He would often read his stories aloud to friends and colleagues on Christmas Eve, using the atmospheric setting of the college’s ancient buildings to add to the sense of unease and foreboding. This tradition, continued by James’s friends and fellow academics, became an integral part of Cambridge’s literary heritage.

James’s ghost stories are masterclasses in atmospheric tension and subtle suggestion. His tales often feature ancient artifacts, dusty manuscripts, and crumbling buildings, which provide the perfect backdrop for supernatural occurrences. “Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad,” “The Ash-Tree,” and “The Mezzotint” are just a few examples of his most famous stories, which have been widely anthologized and remain popular to this day.

The tradition of reading ghost stories on Christmas has been continued by many authors and broadcasters over the years. The BBC has a long history of broadcasting ghost stories on Christmas Eve, and authors such as Neil Gaiman and Mark Gatiss have written stories in the Jamesian tradition. Film and television adaptations of James’s stories have also appeared alongside original tales inspired by his work.

M.R. James’s legacy is a testament to the power of storytelling to evoke a sense of unease and wonder. His stories continue to captivate audiences, and the tradition he helped establish remains a beloved part of British cultural heritage. This Christmas, gather around the fireplace, dim the lights, and indulge in a ghost story or two – but be warned, you may not sleep soundly afterwards.