Folger Shakespeare Library

Folger Shakespeare Library
The Folger Shakespeare Library reading room with one of Shakespeare's First Folios in the foreground
Map
38°53′22″N 77°0′11″W / 38.88944°N 77.00306°W / 38.88944; -77.00306
LocationWashington, D.C., United States
TypePrivate Research library
Special library[1]
ScopeEarly modern Europe, Shakespeare
Established1932
Architect(s)Cret, Paul P.; Trowbridge, Alexander B. (Modern architecture)
Collection
Items collectedShakespeare-related materials, rare books, manuscripts, prints, drawings, playbills, paintings
Other information
DirectorMichael Witmore
Websitewww.folger.edu Edit this at Wikidata

The Folger Shakespeare Library is an independent research library on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., United States. It has the world's largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare, and is a primary repository for rare materials from the early modern period (1500–1750) in Britain and Europe. The library was established by Henry Clay Folger in association with his wife, Emily Jordan Folger. It opened in 1932, two years after his death.

The library offers advanced scholarly programs and national outreach to K–12 classroom teachers on Shakespeare education. Other performances and events at the Folger include the award-winning Folger Theatre, which produces Shakespeare-inspired theater; Folger Consort, the early-music ensemble-in-residence; the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series; the PEN/Faulkner Reading Series; and numerous other exhibits, seminars, talks and lectures, and family programs. It also has several publications, including the Folger Library editions of Shakespeare's plays, the journal Shakespeare Quarterly, the teacher resource books Shakespeare Set Free, and catalogs of exhibitions. The Folger is also a leader in methods of preserving rare materials.

The library is privately endowed and administered by the Trustees of Amherst College. The library building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  1. ^ "Folger Shakespeare Library library, Washington, USA". Libdex.