Shakespeare's First Folio and Sir John Soane

The First Folio is one of the great wonders of the literary world. Published in 1623, seven years after the death of its author, it was the first printed edition of Shakespeare’s collected plays.

Of the 235 known to have survived, 50 copies are still in the UK – one of those was purchased by Sir John Soane in 1825 and remains in the collection. To celebrate the 400th birthday of this literary landmark, join Emma Smith, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Hertford College, Oxford for a talk which will focus on how this book was produced, and on what is special about the Soane copy in particular.

You will have an opportunity to view Soane’s copy of the First Folio before and after the talk and hear about its provenance from Sue Palmer, the Museum’s Archivist and Head of Library Services. Emma’s talk will be followed by a drinks reception in the South Drawing Room.