Richard Sharp (politician)

"Conversation" Sharp
Born1759
Newfoundland
Died30 March 1835
Dorchester
Resting placeBunhill Fields, London.
EducationRev. Dr Fell, Thaxted (private),
Inner Temple
Occupation(s)hat maker, merchant, politician.
Known forConversation, Criticism, Wit
ChildrenMaria Kinnaird (adopted)

Richard Sharp, FRS, FSA (1759 – 30 March 1835), also known as "Conversation" Sharp,[1] was an English hat-maker, banker, merchant, poet, critic, Member of Parliament, and conversationalist. He was at various times known in London society as "Hatter Sharp", "Furrier Sharp", "Copenhagen Sharp" (after a speech that he gave as an MP castigating the British bombardment of Copenhagen), or most famously of all as "Conversation Sharp".[2]

  1. ^ The Journal of Sir Walter Scott, Sir Walter Scott, 1890, entry for 29 August 1826
  2. ^ Hills, Hon. Mrs Eustace, "Conversation Sharp and his Friends", MS Bodleian Library.