In 1837 Guillaume von Dupuytren (1777–1835) wrote that the innovative method of reducing
an ankle fracture by relaxing the calf muscles was due to both William Sharp (1729–1810)
and Percivall Pott (1714–1788). While history records the many surgical achievements of
Percivall Pott, little is known of William Sharp's contribution. He is probably best known
as one of a remarkable family portrayed by Johan Zoffany (1733–1810) and exhibited at the
Royal Academy in 1781. We review William Sharp's career and contribution as a surgeon to
the treatment of fracture/dislocations of the ankle and ask why his concept is not better
known today.