[1] In 1669 he became a merchant's apprentice before becoming a schoolmaster in Liverpool and subsequently a bookkeeper in London.

When the Atlas Coelestis – the largest star map at the time – was published,[3] it contained 26 maps of the major constellations visible from Greenwich, and two planispheres designed by Sharp.

[5] An English translation of a memorial tablet in Latin in Bradford Cathedral carved by Peter Scheemakers[6] translates as " He was rightly counted among the most accomplished mathematicians of his day.

He enjoyed constant friendship with the very famous men of the same repute, notably Flamsteed and the illustrious Newton.

He drew up the description of the heavens made by the former of these (Flamsteed) in (astronomical) tables of the greatest accuracy; he also published anonymously various writings and descriptions of instruments perfected by himself... .