Web links
The SAC takes no position on the identity of the author, but the links described below should provide a good starting point for anyone interested in either exploring the authorship issue, or obtaining additional information about William Shakespeare and his works.
Sites which are neutral about the author's true identity
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Brunel University's MA Programme
The web page of the first MA programme of its kind in the world, convened by Doctor William Leahy at Brunel University in West London. The programme deals with Shakespeare, and issues of authorship, in all of their diversity. Students will benefit from high-profile guest lecturers and proximity to leading resources.
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Concordia University's Shakespeare Authorship Studies Conference
Website for the annual authorship conference so ably hosted by Professor Dan Wright, Director of The Shakespeare Authorship Research Centre at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. This conference is popular with academics and serious scholars of the authorship issue. Dr. Wright will also launch an MA program in authorship studies in the summer of 2007.
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Shakespearean Authorship Trust
Website of the largest agnostic U.K.-based authorship organization. The SAT is dedicated to open and friendly enquiry into the question of the authorship of Shakespeare's plays and poems. In recent years it has held conferences and lectures, and arranged educational displays at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.
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Shakespeare Authorship Roundtable
Los Angeles-area organization that meets several times per year to hear speakers on various topics related to the authorship issue and the Elizabethan-Jacobean period. It includes proponents of numerous alternative candidates.
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Website developed in conjunction with the PBS Frontline documentary The Shakespeare Mystery. Copies of the videotape are no longer available, but transcripts can be downloaded. The site also provides much other useful information. (Although the documentary deals with an alternative candidate, it reaches no conclusion.)
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Shakespeare's Unorthodox Biography
Website of Diana Price, author of Shakespeare's Unorthodox Biography: New Evidence of an Authorship Problem (Greenwood Press). This book is a logical starting point for anyone who is interested in the authorship issue. Price systematically examines the evidence relating to the Stratford man, compares it to the evidence for other writers of his time, and concludes that he did not live a literary life. Price's book is one of three in Greenwood's academic series on the authorship issue. You may order it from Greenwood Press.
Non-Stratfordian sites which favor specific candidates
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Francis Bacon's New Advancement of Learning
Website dedicated to exploring the life and achievements of this great Renaissance genius, from his contributions to scientific thought to his possible role in creating Shakespeare's works. The site links to the Francis Bacon Society, the U.K.-based membership organization dedicated to studying Bacon's works, influence and authorship candidacy.
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The Francis Bacon Research Trust
Website dedicated to demonstrating how Francis Bacon's philosophy, as expressed in the works published in his own name, as well as those in the Shakespeare canon (of which he is held to be the true author), are consistent with the “Western Wisdom Tradition” and can be used to promote the betterment of mankind.
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Website dedicated to the life and legacy of Sir Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, including information on the case for Bacon as author of the works of William Shakespeare. Unusually creative design with original research and materials. The creator of the site has also published several books on the subject.
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The De Vere Society of Great Britain
Website of British advocates for Edward de Vere. It contains a calendar of events in the U.K., past articles in the DVS Newsletter, and other publications, most notably Great Oxford, a collection of articles on Edward de Vere. The DVS meets quarterly in various locations around the U.K. It is welcoming and hospitable.
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Website of noted researchers Barboura Flues and Robert Brazil. This largely non-partisan site contains a wealth of Elizabethan-era texts, resources, and authorship studies. It includes drama, satire, poetry and fiction, with glossaries and notes.
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The International Marlowe-Shakespeare Society
Website of a new organization (2009) dedicated exclusively to the proposition that Marlowe may have written the works of William Shakespeare. Founded by prominent Marlovians Peter Farey, Mike Rubbo, Samuel Blumenfeld, Daryl Pinksen and Carlo DiNota, it offers a wealth of information about Marlowe and the authorship question.
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Website of the primary, U.K.-based organization for Marlovians. The site includes a great deal of information on Marlowe's known works, examples of articles from the Society's newsletter, and links to sites of several individual Marlovians. It provides an excellent starting place for anyone interested in exploring his candidacy.
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Website “dedicated to the proposition that had it not been for the 'sudden, and fearful end of his life' on 30th May, 1593, Christopher Marlowe would have equaled Shakespeare.” Includes all of Marlowe's published works, plus numerous interesting articles about him.
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Website of the prolific Oxfordian researcher Nina Green. The site includes transcripts and translations of hundreds of highly relevant Elizabethan era documents, including the letters and poetry of Edward de Vere, the works of many of his literary contemporaries, and over sixty back issues of her Edward de Vere Newsletter.
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Shakespeare Authorship Sourcebook
Website of long time Oxfordian Mark Alexander. The site is a good research resource, providing lots of interesting articles and information. It includes writings of Charles Wisner Barrell, Gwenneth Bowen and Lilian Winstanley.
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Website of one of the two major Oxfordian membership organizations in the U.S. The site includes a virtual classroom that is useful for gaining a basic understanding of the authorship issue, interesting and sometimes lively discussion boards, and member access to their quarterly newsletter, Shakespeare Matters. They also sponsor the online peer-reviewed journal Brief Chronicles.
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The Shakespeare Oxford Society
Website of the older of the two major U.S. Oxfordian membership organizations. The site features an information library, including back issues of their newsletter, online magazine the Ever Reader, and annual peer-reviewed journal The Oxfordian. Their Bookstore has a good selection of recommended books available at Amazon.com.
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Website of a literary organization based on the premise that Mary Sidney Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, wrote the works of William Shakespeare. Robin P. Williams thinks so: see Sweet Swan of Avon: Did a Woman Write Shakespeare? Whether or not she was Shakespeare, Mary Sidney was someone worthy of our attention.
Mainstream Shakespeare sites
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Website of The Arden Shakespeare, one of the main publishers of the works.
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Website of the world-famous library in Washington D.C. The Folger is home to the largest collection of Shakespeare printed material in the world.
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Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet
Site devoted to including all Internet links on Shakespearean text, criticism and education, plus many other Renaissance resources.
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Site that aims to make Shakespeare more accessible to students. Translates the works into modern English; provides articles on the author's life and times.
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Site of the corporation in Stratford that owns and operates Shakespeare-related attractions, museums, archives, education and research facilities, etc.
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Site of a general interest magazine on Shakespeare, published jointly by Georgetown University and Cambridge University Press three times per year.
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Website that promotes the traditional Bard, and Stratford tourism. The site contains lots of very useful information for both scholars and tourists, including bibliographies, and listings for numerous local sights, accommodations, schedules, etc.
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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Website sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It includes the text of all the plays and sonnets, fully searchable.
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Site specializing in curriculum ideas, materials and resources for teaching Shakespeare, including a section on teaching the authorship issue via mock trial.