Alfonso Josephs Sheafe

Alfonso Josephs Sheafe was a dancing master and author whose name is closely tied to social dance manuals from the early 1900s. In The Fascinating Boston, he presents himself as a "Master of Dancing" and offers step-by-step guidance for learners and teachers interested in the Boston, a popular social dance of the period.

Records of his work show that he also translated and edited Grammar of the Art of Dancing by Friedrich Albert Zorn, suggesting a strong interest not only in performance but also in dance theory and notation. Listings from library and public-domain catalogues connect him with several dance-related publications, showing that he contributed to preserving and explaining ballroom practice for new readers.

Little biographical information appears to be readily confirmed online beyond his published work, but those books still give a good sense of his voice: practical, confident, and focused on making dance teachable. For listeners interested in the history of social dancing, his writing offers a direct glimpse into how these styles were learned and shared in his time.