He was born on 17 December 1906 in
Sundsvall, Sweden. From 1932 to 1936 Tillhagen studied at
Uppsala University. He continued his studies at
Stockholm University until 1943, and until 1960 in
Oslo where he received his doctorate. In 1939 he was employed by
Nordiska museet, where he was a curator from 1961 to 1972. In 1954 he was employed for a study of the
Romani people. He was on the board of directors in the
International Society for Folk Narrative Research. In 1966 he was
guest professor at
Indiana University and
University of California. == Bibliography ==