Sharp, Cecil (James) (1859-1924)

English collector and compiler of folk songs and dances. He visited the USA 1916-18 to collect songs in the Appalachian mountains, where many English songs were still preserved in their early form by descendants of 17th-century emigrants. His work ensured that the English folk music revival became established throughout the English-speaking world.

He led a movement to record a threatened folk song tradition for posterity, publishing English Folk Song (1907; two volumes).

He was educated at Uppingham and Clare College, Cambridge. After living in Australia 1889-92, he returned to London and in 1896 became principal of the Hampstead Conservatory. In 1899 he began to collect folk songs and dances; later he joined the Folk Song Society and in 1911 founded the English Folk-Dance Society.