Jean Ruth Ritchie (December 8,
1922 – June 1, 2015) the "Mother of Folk" was a folk singer,
songwriter, and Appalachian dulcimer player.
As a young woman she learned
hundreds of folk songs in the traditional way (orally, from her family and
community), many of which were Appalachian variants of centuries old British
and Irish songs, including dozens of Child Ballads.
She is responsible for the
revival of the Appalachian dulcimer, the traditional instrument of her
community, which she popularized by playing the instrument on her albums and
writing tutorial books.
She inspired a wide array of musicians,
including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Shirley Collins, Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris
and Judy Collins.