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William Sharp (1855-1905) was a Scottish writer known for his association with the Celtic Revival movement and for his literary work under the pseudonym Fiona Macleod. Sharp, having a keen interest in spiritualism and the mythopoeic potential of the Celtic world, employed these elements in his evocative prose. In 'The Washer of the Ford: Legendary moralities and barbaric tales' (1896), Sharp weaves a tapestry of mystical and haunting narratives inspired by Scottish folklore. His literary style often encompassed ethereal and poetic language, blending romanticized myth with a deep-seated appreciation for nature and the supernatural. Throughout his career, Sharp wrote extensively, contributing to the symbolism and decadence that characterized the fin de siècle literature. Although Sharp's work as Macleod was not revealed until after his death, this female persona gave him the freedom to explore themes of femininity and otherness that were atypical for male writers of the Victorian era. The complexity of his identity and the richness of his literary contributions endure, positioning him as a significant, though enigmatic, figure in late 19th-century literature.
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