Martin Andrew Sharp (1843-1910) was an English historian, long a resident in Spain. He was born in London on 8 December 1843. He was second son of William Lacy Sharp, of the East India Company's service, who married Louisa Charlotte Hume in 1840. He was educated at a private school at Forest Gate, he had some practical training in business, and began early to learn Spanish. A branch of his mother's family had settled at Madrid towards the end of the eighteenth century. In 1860, he paid his Spanish kinsfolk a first visit, which had a decisive influence on his career. His relatives received him