Richard Sharp (priest)

Richard Sharp (born circa 1760, died 1835) was an English clergyman and writer, best known for his "Letters and Essays in Prose and Verse" (1834), published posthumously.

Life:

Little definitive information is available about Sharp's early life and career. He was ordained a priest in the Church of England and served in various clerical positions. Records indicate he was a curate at Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, for a significant period. He later served as the Vicar of Hartburn, Stockton-on-Tees, in the same county.

Works:

Sharp's primary claim to fame rests on the collection of his writings published after his death by his executors, Rev. Richard Purdy and John Sowerby. This volume, "Letters and Essays in Prose and Verse," provides insight into his literary tastes, religious beliefs, and observations on society and nature. The essays cover a range of topics, from moral philosophy and literature to local history and natural phenomena. His letters reveal his personal connections and friendships. The poems included display a competence in verse composition, although they are not considered particularly distinguished.

Significance:

While not a major figure in English literature or religious history, Richard Sharp offers a glimpse into the intellectual and social life of a country parson in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His writings are of interest to local historians and scholars studying the literary culture of the period.