John Jacob Niles (April 28, 1892—March 1, 1980) was an
American composer, singer, and collector of traditional
ballads. Called the "Dean of American Balladeers", Niles was an important influence on the
American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, with
Joan Baez,
Burl Ives, and
Peter, Paul and Mary, among others, recording his songs.