Cecil Sharp

Cecil Sharp, born on November twenty-second, eighteen fifty-nine, was a pivotal figure in the English folk-song revival during the Edwardian era. As a musician, teacher, and musicologist, he dedicated his life to the collection and preservation of folk songs, dances, and instrumental music. His extensive fieldwork led to the collection of over four thousand folk songs from both South-West England and the Southern Appalachian region of the United States.

Sharp's contributions to musicology are profound, as he published a series of influential songbooks that often included piano arrangements. His theoretical work, 'English Folk Song: Some Conclusions,' remains a significant reference in the study of folk music. Additionally, he notated examples of English Morris dancing, playing a crucial role in the revival of both Morris and English country dance traditions.

In nineteen eleven, Sharp co-founded the English Folk Dance Society, which later merged with the Folk-Song Society to create the English Folk Dance and Song Society. His legacy extends beyond the revival of folk traditions; it has influenced English orchestral music and the classroom singing experiences of generations of schoolchildren.

Sharp's work continues to resonate, with many prominent musicians of the British Folk Revival drawing from the songs he collected. His impact is evident in the scores of Morris dance teams across England and abroad, as well as in the Country Dance and Song Society in the United States, which was established with his support. Despite the accolades, Sharp's legacy has sparked debate over issues of selectivity, nationalism, and appropriation in folk music.