The Folger’s collection is vast and varied, including printed books; manuscripts; prints, drawings, photographs, paintings, and other works of art; and a wealth of performance history, from playbills to films, recordings, and stage costumes.
In addition to the rare material collection, the Folger holds a collection of over 100,000 monographs, periodicals, and electronic resources published between the 1830s and the present, related to the understanding and interpretation of Shakespeare, his works and impact, and to the early modern world.
History of the Collection
Henry Clay Folger and his wife, Emily Jordan Folger, began amassing the collection of rare books that would become the Folger Shakespeare Library in 1889. They spent decades gathering the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, as well as associated works from Shakespeare’s time. The Library itself opened in 1932, and continues to expand its holdings today.
Printed Books
Manuscripts
Works of Art
Performance History
Caring for Our Collections
Explore some of the scholarly work being done with, in, and around our collections.
Philanthropy and Torture: Linking Workhouses and Plantations
Folger Fellow Justin Roberts explores the appearance of torture instruments in 17th century workhouses.
Christian baking molds from Early Modern Europe
Folger Fellow Rabia Gregory looks at the use of baking molds with Christian imagery.
On racial suffocation and the early modern humanities
Chris Blakley examines “ship fever”, the Black Hole of Calcutta, and the links to present-day ideas about race, racism, and racist policies that play a role in determining healthcare outcomes.
A 17th Century Letter Collection, Part 3: Farming in Early Modern England, 1630-1632
A final look at the Powell family letters.
Murmuration: Shakespeare in Flight
Artistic Research Fellow Jacklyn Brickman explores Shakespeare, patterns, and the invasive starling species using AI.