Thomas Washington Talley (1870–1952) was an American chemist and folklorist. Beyond his work in chemistry, he took a lasting interest in African American oral literature, collecting and publishing Black folk songs and rhymes; his representative work is Negro Folk Rhymes. The book gathers songs, rhymes, and chants circulating in Black communities, bearing clear marks of oral tradition: strong rhythm, plain language, and a retention of dialect and everyday expression. Talley's work offers later scholars a useful textual reference for the study of African American music, poetry, and folklore, and helped preserve oral pieces that might otherwise have been lost. Public information on the details of his life is limited; what can be confirmed is chiefly his identity as a chemist and his achievements in folklore collection.
