Folger Shakespeare Library

Folger Shakespeare Library Home to the world's largest Shakespeare collection. Advancing knowledge and the arts. The Folger welcomes millions of visitors online and in person. Come explore.
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Folger Shakespeare Library is the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. We provide unparalleled access to a huge array of resources, from original sources to modern interpretations. With the Folger, you can experience the power of performance, the wonder of exhibitions, and the excitement of pathbreaking research. We offer the opport

unity to see and even work with early modern sources, driving discovery and transforming education for students of all ages. Shakespeare belongs to you. His world is vast. Join us online, on the road, or in Washington, DC. Review the Folger's online community standards at https://www.folger.edu/connect-with-the-folger/online-community-standards.

Inspired by the Folger temporary exhibition "Imagining Shakespeare," this Humanities Lab course explores how various art...
05/31/2026

Inspired by the Folger temporary exhibition "Imagining Shakespeare," this Humanities Lab course explores how various art forms and material culture helped shape Shakespeare’s reputation across generations. Join us June 17 from 5:30-8pm to explore the exhibition, discover objects from our collection, and join a discussion with guest scholar Paul Menzer, professor of Shakespeare and Performance at Mary Baldwin University. Register today at the link in our comments.

05/30/2026

Becoming a Folger docent means an opportunity to help everyone connect with Shakespeare in their own way. Docent Karen Doyne tells us what she loves about working with the Folger. Apply to be a docent now through July 17 at folger.edu/docent

Weekends are for carousing 🍻 ...and visiting the Folger! 🏛️ This "Twelfth Night"-inspired image entitled "The carousing ...
05/29/2026

Weekends are for carousing 🍻 ...and visiting the Folger! 🏛️ This "Twelfth Night"-inspired image entitled "The carousing of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek" is one of 14 paintings from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery now on view at the Folger as part of the "Imaging Shakespeare" exhibition. See it through August 2.

🖼️ : "The carousing of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek." William Hamilton.

We could not agree more 😇 Performances of Jacob Ming-Trent's tour-de-force one-man show begin on June 9. Get your 🎫 to t...
05/28/2026

We could not agree more 😇 Performances of Jacob Ming-Trent's tour-de-force one-man show begin on June 9. Get your 🎫 to this limited engagement at folger.edu

📷 : Jacob Ming-Trent, "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," Berkeley Rep Theatre, 2026. Photo by Kevin Berne.

May is the anniversary of the Astor Place Riot: the night in 1849 when fans of American actor Edwin Forrest rioted insid...
05/27/2026

May is the anniversary of the Astor Place Riot: the night in 1849 when fans of American actor Edwin Forrest rioted inside and outside New York’s Astor Place Opera House during a performance of "Macbeth" by Forrest’s rival, the British actor William Charles Macready. We're re-sharing the "Shakespeare Unlimited" podcast episode about this shocking event:

Folger Shakespeare Library is the world's largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. Shakespeare belongs to you. His world is vast. Come explore. Join us online, on the road, or in Washington, DC.

“Let’s put on a show” is an irresistible line in many a movie, and Shakespeare, who was deeply involved in the world of ...
05/26/2026

“Let’s put on a show” is an irresistible line in many a movie, and Shakespeare, who was deeply involved in the world of London theater, seems to have felt the same impulse, too. In several plays, his characters come together to put on a play of their own. Test your knowledge of his plays within plays with our quiz here and more on our blog at the link in our comments.

Is that a baby Bard we see? Both Shakespeare and his queen are looking very youthful on this colorful page of "Scenes fr...
05/26/2026

Is that a baby Bard we see? Both Shakespeare and his queen are looking very youthful on this colorful page of "Scenes from Shakespeare for the Young."

🎨 : "Scenes from Shakespeare for the young ..."/edited by Charles Alias; preface by E.L. Blanchard; illustrated by H. Sidney. ART Vol. f96. Folger Shakespeare Library.

It's your final day to save 40% on the show critics call “a truly powerful work of theatre" (Patrick Thomas, TalkinBroad...
05/25/2026

It's your final day to save 40% on the show critics call “a truly powerful work of theatre" (Patrick Thomas, TalkinBroadway.com). Use code FLASH40 now through midnight for 40%* off tickets for "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" performances June 9-21. 🎟️ at folger.edu

*Sections A-C only. Limit six (6) tickets per order. Offer expires May 25 at 11:59pm.

Take a peek into the weird and wonderful world of early modern recipe books! 🥘 Imaging Associate Chris Naulty explores o...
05/24/2026

Take a peek into the weird and wonderful world of early modern recipe books! 🥘 Imaging Associate Chris Naulty explores on the Collation blog:

Chris Naulty, our Imaging Associate, shares some of the weird and wonderful things she has encountered in our early modern recipe books while working on the project to digitize them.

Spring is the perfect time to grab a light and fresh salad at Quill & Crumb, the Folger café. 🥬 ☀️ 🫛 💚 Stop by for a bab...
05/23/2026

Spring is the perfect time to grab a light and fresh salad at Quill & Crumb, the Folger café. 🥬 ☀️ 🫛 💚 Stop by for a baby romaine and kale Caesar, a spring grain bowl, or a green pea chopped salad when you visit the Folger this weekend!

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