Sharp, William, 1855-1905

William Sharp (1855–1905) was a British writer of the late nineteenth century, best known for his pen name "Fiona Macleod." The library holds eight of his works, spanning fiction, biography, and retellings of folk tales. He was drawn to Celtic legend and the supernatural, producing Spiritual Tales, The Washer of the Ford, and Tragic Romances, whose ornate, mysterious prose often blends ancient myth with moral allegory; The Laughter of Peterkin retells old tales of the Celtic wonderworld. He also wrote Life of Robert Browning, along with romantic novels such as Pharais and The Mountain Lovers and Green Fire. Public information about his life is limited, but his works reveal a sustained interest in mysticism and Celtic tradition.