Extracts of letters from Mary Forbes Curling to Robert Curling regarding the Baconian theory [manuscript], 1887-1890.

Extracts of letters from Mary Forbes Curling to Robert Curling regarding the Baconian theory [manuscript], 1887-1890.

Extracts from letters by Miss M.F. Curling on the authorship of the plays of William Shakespeare. Reasons in favour of their having been written by Lord Bacon

[Gosmore, England?], 1887-1890.

1 volume (46 leaves) ; 23 x 19 cm

14 numbered extracts from letters, presenting one side of a debate on the Shakespeare authorship question. The recipient appears to have been a staunch Stratfordian; the letters are full of the correspondent's misgivings on the traditional accreditation of authorship to Shakespeare with some leanings towards the Baconian theory. Despite interest in the theory and arguments in favor of Bacon's poetic credentials, M.F. Curling expresses frustration with Ignatius Donnelly's work ("As for Donnelly, I cannot have patience with what seems an audacious attempt to mystify us all with his ingenious and fraudulent puzzle!" (leaf 42). Also include a loose leaf "A question & reply - Shakespeare's Plays" dated Oct. 1888.

"The letters are addressed to Mr. Robert Curling; the date of the first letter is October 8th 1887." --leaf 1v.

Mary Forbes Curling lived in Gosmore, Hertfordshire.

Printed transcript of M.F. Curling's article "Traditions of Sterne and Bunyan" (MacMillan's Magazine, 1887) removed to curatorial file.

Acquired from A.R. Heath, 2012-08-03.

Question and Reply. Shakespeare Plays. Oct. 1888.

Great Britain -- England -- Gosmore.

W.a.509

Purchased with funds from The Gladys Brooks Acquisitions Endowment.

267638