Cecil Sharp

SHARP, Cecil James. b. Denmark Hill, London, 22 November 1859; d. London, 23 June 1924. He was educated at Uppingham School and at Clare College, Cambridge, which he entered initially to study mathematics. After ten years in Australia pursuing mostly non-musical employment, he returned to London in 1892 determined to become a professional musician, finding work as a teacher, conductor, and administrator (including the post of principal of the Hampstead Conservatory). In 1899, he observed his first Morris Dance; in 1903, he collected his first folk-song. Thereafter, he championed English traditional music, collecting over 5000 songs and dances in Great Britain and the United States and...