Cecil Sharp

David Atkinson (Independent Scholar - Europe)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.08: English Writing and Culture of the early Twentieth Century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Peter Childs (Birmingham Newman University), Louise McDonald (Birmingham Newman University), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Domains

Dance
Folk Music

Dates

Born 22 Nov 1859
Died 23 Jun 1924
Activity 1879-1924

Places

Born in England
Active in England

Resources

Sharp's Works

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Born on St Cecilia’s Day, 22 November 1859, into a middle-class family in South London, Cecil Sharp’s musical predilections were encouraged by his family and his schooling, and although he read mathematics at Clare College, Cambridge, he was preoccupied there with musical activities. On leaving university, he spent ten years in Australia, working as a lawyer’s clerk, teaching music, and as joint director of the Adelaide College of Music. He returned to England in 1892, where he taught, composed, and lectured on music, becoming Principal of Hampstead Conservatoire (1896–1905), and music teacher at Ludgrove School (1893–1910).

Sharp’s introduction to English folk music and dance came on Boxing Day 1899, at Headington, Oxfordshire, when he saw the Headington Quarry morris

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2122 words

Citation: Atkinson, David. "Cecil Sharp". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 17 August 2004 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5512, accessed 19 April 2024.]

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