Shakespeare Authorship Question By: Audrey Ashford

What is the, ‘ Shakespeare Authorship question ’? The Shakespeare authorship question is the argument about whether someone other than William Shakespeare of Stratford, Upon Avon, wrote the works credited to him. Although the idea has attracted much public interest, all but a few Shakespeare scholars and literary historians consider it a credible question and for the most part disregard it except to rebut or disparage the claims.

Important Doubters of William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon- Avon’s Authorship Oxfordian's The Oxfordian theory of Shakespeare Authorship proposes that Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford, wrote the plays and poems traditionally credited to William Shakespeare of Stratford Upon Avon. Though most literary scholars reject all alternative authorship canidates, including Oxford, popular interest in the Oxfordian theory continues. Since the 1920s, Oxford has been the most popular alternative authorship candidate.

Important Doubters of William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon- Avon’s Authorship Anti-Stratfordians : A person who, in the controversy over who wrote the Shakespeare, holds that it was likely written by someone other than William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon. Anti Stratfordians, say that Shakespeare of Stratford was a front to shield the identity of the real author or authors, did not want or could not accept public credit.