Shakespeare: Researching Shakespeare

Shakespeare Documented is the largest and most authoritative collection of primary-source materials documenting the life of Shakespeare, bringing together all known manuscript and print references to Shakespeare, his works, and additional references to his family, in his lifetime and shortly thereafter.

This project from MIT wants to make it easier to access digital copies of primary material while reading digital versions of Shakespeare. When accessing a play, simply click the one you want and it will pull up the text alongside images from the 1623 First Folio. The First Folio is the first published collection of Shakespeare’s plays, produced seven years after his death. Its title is Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories & Tragedies, and it groups his plays into those categories—comedies, histories, and tragedies—for the first time.

Explore some of the British Library's best loved articles about Shakespeare. They offer character analyses, historical context, and more.

The Folger Shakespeare Library has the world’s largest collection of materials relating to Shakespeare and his works. This Shakespeare collection encompasses more than 400 years, from the 16th century when he was born, up to the present day. Beyond Shakespeare, the Folger has a world-renowned collection of books, manuscripts, and prints from Renaissance Europe. Explore their online resources to find highlights of their collection, scholarship on Shakespeare, and more.

Discover the world of Shakespeare's plays by delving into The Royal Shakespeare Company's past productions. You will find out more about William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon, the world he lived in and the theatre of his time.

Feed your curiosity for the world’s most well-known playwright with blog posts, podcasts, exhibits and more from the famous Globe Theatre.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is the independent charity that cares for some of the world’s greatest Shakespeare heritage in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Find lectures, online exhibits, podcasts with Shakespeare experts and more.