John Jacob Niles (1892-1980) was an American folksinger, composer, and collector who became one of the most important figures in American folk music preservation. Known for his distinctive high tenor voice and his work documenting Appalachian ballads and traditional songs, Niles performed extensively throughout his career and made significant contributions to the folk music revival of the 20th century. His arrangements and recordings helped bring traditional American folk music to wider audiences and established him as a respected authority on the genre.
