Title: William Sharp Papers
Inclusive Dates: circa 1886-1904

Creator:

• Sharp, William, 1855-1905

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 231

Quantity: .2 cubic ft. (1 box)
Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

The collection contains sixteen pieces of William Sharp's outgoing letters, including two which he wrote using his pseudonym, "Fiona Macleod." Five letters are written to the art and literary critic, Kineton Parkes, and the remainder are written to other literary figures and publishers. The collection contains originals and modern transcriptions. Also included is a manuscript poem.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0231

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William Sharp was born in Paisley, Scotland on September 12, 1855. He was the oldest of two brothers and five sisters of David Sharp, a merchant. His mother Katherine Brooks was the daughter of the Swedish Vice-Consul in Glasgow. 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.

In 1894 Sharp began writing under the pseudonym of "Fiona Macleod." During this time his works achieved much success. Pharais, a Romance of the Isles, published in 1894 under the pseudonym, launched Sharp's life in dual mode. Sharp's sister, Mary, penned Macleod's letters in her own hand in order to support the identity of Macleod. Sharp was able to maintain the anonymity of the Macleod persona until after his death, which occurred on December 12, 1905. He is buried in Sicily.

These pieces of correspondence document the professional and personal interaction of William Sharp with publishers and other persons. Topics include Sharp's social, publishing and editing engagements, travel plans, revision of Wives in Exile, and a self-pronounced "specialization" in French writers. In two letters, one dated 1897 to an unidentified "My Dear Sir" and the other undated to William Meredith, Sharp assumes the identity of "Fiona Macleod." In these letters there is a marked difference in penmanship from letters signed as Sharp, providing documentation that Sharp enlisted his sister to pen Fiona's letters.

Modern transcriptions of the correspondence are found with the originals and were provided by the donor. These modern transcriptions also provide dates for a few of the undated letters.

Sharp's letters are organized according to the surname of the recipient, and then chronologically.

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

William F. Halloran, former Dean of the College of Letters and Science at UW-Milwaukee purchased the letters on behalf of UW-Milwaukee between the years 1984 and 1992 (accession 2004-056).

Processing Information

Carol Haag and Ellen Engseth processed the collection at the Archives in September-December 2005. Acquisition documents are maintained in the administrative case file. Christel Maass added the manuscript poem, transferred from the UWM Libraries' Special Collections, to the collection in October 2016.

	Letters
Box   1 Folder   1	Jessup, Alexander, Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1904 June 14
Box   1 Folder   2	Kimball, Ingalls, Autograph Letter Signed, undated
Box   1 Folder   3	Meredith, William, Autograph Letter Signed, as Fiona Macleod, undated
Box   1 Folder   4	Osborne, Mr., Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1888 June 4
Box   1 Folder   5	Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1892 November 19
Box   1 Folder   6	Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Lettercard Signed, postmarked 1892 December 7
Box   1 Folder   7	Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Lettercard Signed, postmarked 1892 December 11
Box   1 Folder   8	Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Lettercard Signed, postmarked 1893 May 10
Box   1 Folder   9	Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Letter Signed, undated
Box   1 Folder   10	Richards, Mr., Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1898 May 9
Box   1 Folder   11	Scollard, Clinton, Autograph Postcard Signed, postmarked 1889 July
Box   1 Folder   12	Severn, Joseph, Autograph Letter Signed, dated circa 1886 July 18
Box   1 Folder   13	Stedman, E.C., Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1889 October 8
Box   1 Folder   14	Tebb, Dr., Autograph Letter Signed, undated
Box   1 Folder   15	Unidentified Recipient, Autograph Letter Signed, as Fiona Macleod, dated 1897 March 20
Box   1 Folder   16	(Messrs) Williams & Norgate, Autograph Lettercard Signed, dated 1892 December 10
Box   1 Folder   16	Manuscript Poem: The Sorrow of Delight, undated