On February 2, 2022 the Folger’s virtual book club continues with a discussion of Booth by Karen Joy Fowler. To prepare for the discussion, we have pulled together a list of Folger resources related to 19th-century Shakespeare performance and the Booth family.
LISTEN to related podcast episodes
- Episode 96: The Astor Place Riot
- Episode 114: The Actor and the Assassin: Edwin and John Wilkes Booth
- Episode 139: Abraham Lincoln and Shakespeare
LEARN about moments in history from the novel
- America’s Shakespeare: The Bard goes west to California’s Gold Rush mining camps
- The Astor Place riot: Shakespeare as a flashpoint for class conflict in 1849
- Shakespeare, Abraham Lincoln, and the president’s assassination
EXPLORE the Booth family and the Folger Collection
- Building a Replica of the John Wilkes Booth Diary
- Folger Finds: Edwin Booth’s royal tunic
- Nora Titone shares highlights from the Folger’s Booth collection
CONTINUE your exploration with a visit to Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC
We would like to thank the following organization for its generous support of this program

Join us for a future event
Folger Salon with Gbenga Adesina, John Colley, and Tamara Walker

Folger Salon with Gbenga Adesina, John Colley, and Tamara Walker
Learn about research happening at the Folger in real time! Each month, Folger Institute scholar and artist fellows will share their most exciting finds and thought-provoking challenges, followed by casual open conversation.
Thu, Sep 18, 2025 at 4:30pm
Using 20-Minute Plays the Whole Year Long

Using 20-Minute Plays the Whole Year Long
Teachers, join Folger Education for a free, one-hour, virtual professional development session on launching students into complex texts using 20-Minute Plays.
Wed, Sep 24, 2025, 8pm ET
Out of the Vault: Into the Heart of the Folger

Out of the Vault
Encounter remarkable books and manuscripts that connect with the multifaceted work of the Folger in this ongoing exhibition.
Ongoing
Stay connected
Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.