I was wondering what people know about William Alexander Barrett - a 19th Century collector of folk songs. I keep finding bits about him here and there, and it looks as if he was quite important. Here's some of what I've found. Any contributions welcome.

Barrett, William Alexander. "English Folk-Songs, collected, arranged, and provided with symphonies and accompaniments for the pianoforte by W. A. Barrett.", London & New York : Novello, Ewer and Co, [1891] Octavo

There are two copies of this in the British Library. Amazon lists the book as "Limited Availability" "Unknown Binding" (in other words, they've never seen a copy).

Some of the songs in his book include

Fathom The Bowl
"This rousing and convivial song may be found in the collection of English songs made by William Alexander Barrett and published in 1891. Barrett noted his budget of songs at harvest homes, sheep shearings, ploughing matches and from itinerant ballad-singers (like the ones interviewed by Mayhew and his team of early sociologists in mid-Victorian times) who still lifted up their cracked voices in the city streets."

The Saucy Sailor
"According to William Alexander Barrett, The Saucy Sailor has been in print since at least 1781. He cites it as being highly popular with East London factory girls."

William and Mary
"According to the Victorian song collector William Alexander Barrett, who included a good set of William and Mary in his book English Folk Song (1891), the song appeared on a broadside issued by J Evans of Long Lane, Smithfield in 1794."

The Buffalo
"dating from the early eighteenth century: 'We'll wander through the wild woods and we'll chase the buffalo'"

Anybody help?

Thanks
Ian