Folkiedave-

Beethoven was indeed not the easiest person to get along with. I have no idea if any of the stories about Ewan --(which don't appear all hearsay--some in this thread have cited specific incidents at which they were present)--are true. Point is: even if the stories of Ewan being possibly at times a prickly individual are true, that does not negate his huge contributions to folk music.

Just as it might possibly be argued that Beethoven made great contributions to music.

Hence my suggestion that "Ewan McColl..Folk Friend or Foe?" makes as much sense as "Ludwig van Beethoven: Music Friend or Foe?"