Allen (1858-1932) was an American doctor who was the first Protestant missionary in Korea, arriving in late 1884. His good relationship with Emperor Gojong and other officials resulted in him becoming part of the US Legation to Korea and he was appointed as secretary in 1890 and as US minister and consul general in 1897. Due to disagreements with the US government over its lack of intervention in the Russo-Japanese War he was recalled in 1905. This collection of stories translated from Korean folk lore was first published in 1889.