University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Sharp, William, 1855-1905.

Correspondence, circa 1886-1904.

UWM Manuscript Collection 231

.2 cubic ft. (1 box)



ABSTRACT:  The collection contains 16 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.

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. However, 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).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: 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. 

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

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.  For the text of many of the letters, as well as for a presentation of the letters in context, patrons are advised to visit the online exhibit of The William Sharp “Fiona Macleod” Archives edited by Willliam F. Halloran, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and sponsored by the Institute of English Studies at www.sas.ac.uk/ies/cmps/Projects/Sharp/index.htm

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: 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.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Sharp, William, 1855-1905.  Correspondence, circa 1886-1904.  UWM Manuscript Collection 231. University Manuscript Collection. Archives.  UWM Libraries.  University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION:  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 years1984-1992 (accession number 2004-056).

PROCESSING:  Carol Haag and Ellen Engseth processed the collection at the Archives in September - December 2005.  Acquisition documents were separated from the Sharp correspondence, and are maintained in the administrative case file.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 231

BOX

FOLDER

Jessup, Alexander, Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1904 June 14

1

1

Kimball, Ingalls, Autograph Letter Signed, undated

1

2

Meredith, William, Autograph Letter Signed, as Fiona Macleod, undated

1

3

Osborne, Mr., Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1888 June 4

1

4

Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1892 November 19

1

5

Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Lettercard Signed, postmarked 1892 December 7

1

6

Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Lettercard Signed, postmarked 1892 December 11

1

7

Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Lettercard Signed, postmarked 1893 May 10

1

8

Parkes, Kineton, Autograph Letter Signed, undated

1

9

Richards, Mr., Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1898 May 9

1

10

Scollard, Clinton, Autograph Postcard Signed, postmarked 1889 July

1

11

Severn, Joseph, Autograph Letter Signed, dated circa 1886 July 18

1

12

Stedman, E.C., Autograph Letter Signed, dated 1889 October 8

1

13

Tebb, Dr., Autograph Letter Signed, undated

1

14

Unidentified Recipient, Autograph Letter Signed, as Fiona Macleod, dated 1897 March 20

1

15

(Messrs) Williams & Norgate, Autograph Lettercard Signed, dated 1892 December 10

1

16

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URL: http://www.uwm.edu/Libraries/arch/findaids/uwmmms231.htm
Last edited on Friday, January 6, 2006.
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