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.
