Sharp, William, 1855-1905

William Sharp was a noted English author, writing prolifically in every conceivable genre. After his death, it was surprisingly revealed that he was also "Fiona MacLeod," a popular mystical writer whose work became a keystone of the Celtic Renaissance. Sharp's themes of mysticism, alienation, symbolism, and spiritual exhaustion fuse mythology with modernism, anticipating the work of Eliot, Joyce, and D.H. Lawrence.

From the description of William Sharp letters, 1889-1894. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 50209295

William Sharp was born in Paisley, Scotland on September 12, 1855. Sharp was educated at Glasgow Academy and Glasgow University. He married his cousin, Elizabeth A. Sharp and settled in London, England where he established himself as an author, literary critic, and editor. He wrote poetry, novels, biographies and drama. Sharp died on December 12, 1905 and is buried in Sicily.

From the description of William Sharp correspondence, circa 1886-1904. (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee). WorldCat record id: 190872436

William Sharp was a Scottish writer of poetry and literary biography who, from 1893, also wrote under "Fiona MacLeod," a pseudonym kept secret during most of his life. Sharp was also an editor of the poetry of Matthew Arnold, Walter Scott, Algernon Swinburne, and others.

From the description of William Sharp collection, 1887-1907 (Peking University Library). WorldCat record id: 74216287

English writer.

From the description of Letter : Liverpool, to Arthur Severn, 1892. (Getty Research Institute). WorldCat record id: 81939522

William Sharp was a Scottish poet, novelist, short story writer, biographer, essayist, and dramatist who also wrote under the pseudonym Fiona Macleod.

From the description of William Sharp collection of papers [microform] (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 173190541

From the description of William Sharp collection of papers, [1883?]-1909 bulk (1890-1909). (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 144652075

From the guide to the William Sharp collection of papers, 1883?]-1909, 1890-1909, (The New York Public Library. Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature.)

English author.

From the description of William Sharp papers, 1897-1905. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 214826134

Biographical Information

William Sharp

William Sharp, born on September 12, 1885 in Paisley, Scotland to David Galbraeth and Katherine Brook Sharp, had a distinguished literary career as a Scottish poet, novelist, short story writer, biographer, essayist, and dramatist. He attended Glasgow Academy at an early age and later in life enrolled at Glasgow University. Sharp wrote many works under the pen name, Fiona Macleod, whose topics and themes revolved around Celtic legends, folklore, and mythology. Through these writings, Sharp achieved literary fame, earning him the reputation as the foremost Scottish writer of the Celtic Renaissance during the late nineteenth century.

From the guide to the William Sharp papers, 1869-1904, (bulk 1889-1904), (The Bancroft Library)