William Sharp was an engraver who began his training in 1771 in the Royal Academy Schools. He soon became recognised as an important contributor to the revival of the classical style of line engraving in England, following Sir Robert Strange and William Woollett. Like Strange and Woollett before him, he refused membership of the Royal Academy on the inferior associate basis offered to engravers. However, he accepted honorary membership of the Imperial Academy of Vienna and of the Royal Academy of Munich.
Working in collaboration with Samuel Smith, Sharp engraved the figures in E52, E54 and E58, Niobe after Wilson.
