Jean Ritchie was an american folk musician and singer/songwriter who is ultimately 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.

In 1952, Jean Ritchie was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to trace the links between American ballads and the songs from Britain and Ireland, and spent years recording folk music in the british isles and america

She learned hundreds of traditional songs orally, and helped bring awareness of them to a wider community.

She inspired a wide array of musicians, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Shirley Collins, Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris and Judy Collins.