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Shakespeare & Beyond

'Shakespeare Documented' online resource launches

The diary of physician and vicar John Ward contains the only known account of Shakespeare’s death. On March 6, 1662/63 he writes, “Shakespeare, Drayton, and Ben Jonson had a merry meeting, and it seems drank too hard, for Shakespear died of a fever there contracted.”

The diary of physician and vicar John Ward contains the only known account of Shakespeare’s death. On March 6, 1662/63 he writes, “Shakespeare, Drayton, and Ben Jonson had a merry meeting, and it seems drank too hard, for Shakespear died of a fever there contracted.” Folger Shakespeare Library.

Curious about the life of the man from Stratford-upon-Avon? You can now turn to a new website, Shakespeare Documented, which launched January 20. Featuring documents from more than 30 institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom, it is the largest and most authoritative resource for learning about primary sources that document the life and career of William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare Documented includes images, descriptions, and transcriptions of all known references and allusions to Shakespeare and his works during his lifetime and shortly after his death in 1616. When complete, this will amount to nearly 500 references, found in roughly 400 print and manuscript documents. (The website launched with 200 completed descriptions; descriptions will continue to be added, updated, and expanded throughout 2016.)