I met Peggy Seeger and Ewan McColl in the 60s when they were trying to collect a song lyrics from me, and they were great THEN, i.e. in their time.

Tim Hart and Maddy Prior were also excellent and then went on to great things with Steeleye Span later. To me, they were great then.

I wouldn't presume to say 'I know' him, but in terms of the best folksinger I've MET now, well that would be Martyn Wyndham Read. Sublime voice and one of the nicest characters I've ever met, generally accompanied by a consummate musician on squeezebox - Iris Bishop.

I would recommend a listen to his album 'Jackeroo' if you're at a loose end.