Shakespeare and the American Story

One of the books in the Folger collection is extraordinary for both its cover, the War of the Roses binding created by book artist Léon Maillard, and its contents, the Pavier quartos, an early try at publishing a collection of Shakespeare’s plays.

As the Folger prepares to welcome his one-man show, How Shakespeare Saved My Life, writer and performer Jacob Ming-Trent delves deeper into his story—and reframes Shakespeare as an urban poet in the vein of Tupac and Biggie.

From Ellen Terry to Sir Ian McKellen, Shakespearean actors performing solo shows is a time-honored tradition. Austin Tichenor shares a wide-ranging sampling of one-person Shakespeare shows from the past century.

In Shakespeare’s Scholars, Sean Keilen explores one of the more comic parts from Hamlet, Polonius’ advice to his son Laertes, and why audiences, from Shakespeare’s time until quite recently, took the words of guidance quite seriously.

In honor of America250 and our exhibition Shakespeare and the American Story, we celebrate milestone birthdays of collection items, from a book that is as the same age as America to coins that are thousands of years old.

A round-up of gift ideas for graduation, weddings, or just because from our online Folger Shop. Books, jewelry and apparel, stationery, home, and more, perfect for lovers of Shakespeare and literature.