Changes

Mainstream Shakespeare scholars discount the Oxfordian theory, noting that, according to their own chronology, several of Shakespeare's works postdate the death of the Earl in 1604.<ref>Schoenbaum, S. (1991). Shakespeare's Lives (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. pp 433-4. ISBN 978-0-19-818618-2.</ref> Oxfordians, however, maintain that none of Shakespeare's works have been proven to have been written after 1604, and note that the standard chronology was developed to match the years of the Stratford man.<ref>Anderson, Mark. "Shakespeare" by Another Name: The Life of Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, The Man Who Was Shakespeare. Gotham, 2005 (expanded paperback edition 2006). pp. 400-405</ref> The debate continues into the 21st century.

Mainstream Shakespeare scholars discount the Oxfordian theory, noting that, according to their own chronology, several of Shakespeare's works postdate the death of the Earl in 1604.<ref>Schoenbaum, S. (1991). Shakespeare's Lives (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. pp 433-4. ISBN 978-0-19-818618-2.</ref> Oxfordians, however, maintain that none of Shakespeare's works have been proven to have been written after 1604, and note that the standard chronology was developed to match the years of the Stratford man.<ref>Anderson, Mark. "Shakespeare" by Another Name: The Life of Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, The Man Who Was Shakespeare. Gotham, 2005 (expanded paperback edition 2006). pp. 400-405</ref> The debate continues into the 21st century.

Like most issues having to do with the debate over Shakespeare's authorship, documenting the history of the Shakespeare authorship question is often contentious. There is no agreement, academic or otherwise, as to when the debate was first proposed or alluded to. Stratfordians (those who follow the standard attribution) assert that during the life of William Shakespeare and for more than 200 years after his death, no one suggested that anyone other than Shakespeare wrote the works.<ref>Bate, Jonathan (1998). The Genius of Shakespeare. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-512823-9. p. 73; </ref>  However, most Oxfordians believe that several 16th and 17th century Elizabethan works hint that the Shakespearean canon was written by someone else,<ref>Price, Diana. ''Shakespeare's Unorthodox Biography'' (2001), 224-26.</ref> and note that the first generally accepted allusions to Shakespearean authorship arose in several 18th century satirical and allegorical works.<ref>Friedman, William F. and Elizebeth S. ''The Shakespearean Ciphers Examined'' (1957), pp. 1-4, quoted in ''Shakespeare and His Rivals'', George McMichael, Edward M. Glenn, eds. (1962) pg. 56</ref>  

Like most issues having to do with the debate over Shakespeare's authorship, documenting the history of the Shakespeare authorship question is often contentious. There is no agreement, academic or otherwise, as to when the debate was first proposed or alluded to. Stratfordians (those who follow the standard attribution) assert that during the life of William Shakespeare and for more than 200 years after his death, no one suggested that anyone other than Shakespeare wrote the works.<ref>Bate, Jonathan (1998). The Genius of Shakespeare. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-512823-9. p. 73; </ref>  However, most Oxfordians believe that several 16th and 17th century Elizabethan works hint that the Shakespearean canon was written by someone else,<ref>Price, Diana. ''Shakespeare's Unorthodox Biography'' (2001), 224-26.</ref> and note that the first generally accepted allusions to Shakespearean authorship arose in several 18th century satirical and allegorical works.<ref>Friedman, William F. and Elizebeth S. ''The Shakespearean Ciphers Examined'' (1957), pp. 1-4, quoted in ''Shakespeare and His Rivals'', George McMichael, Edward M. Glenn, eds. (1962) pg. 56</ref>  

Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford has been the most popular alternate candidate for the past 90 years,<ref>Edward de Vere, 17th earl of Oxford entry at Britannica Concise Encyclopedia, 2007 | url=http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9374297/Edward-de-Vere-17th-earl-of-Oxford; Satchell, Michael, Hunting for good Will: Will the real Shakespeare please stand up?, U.S. News & World Report, 2000-07-24 | url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/doubleissue/mysteries/shakespeare.htm; McMichael, George and Edgar M. Glenn. ''Shakespeare and his Rivals: A Casebook on the Authorship Controversy.'' Odyssey Press, 1962. p. 159.</ref> After being proposed in the 1920's, Oxford rapidly overtook Bacon to become the most popular alternative candidate.<ref>Wadsworth, 121.</ref>

Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford has been the strongest alternate candidate for the past 90 years,<ref>Edward de Vere, 17th earl of Oxford entry at Britannica Concise Encyclopedia, 2007 | url=http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9374297/Edward-de-Vere-17th-earl-of-Oxford; Satchell, Michael, Hunting for good Will: Will the real Shakespeare please stand up?, U.S. News & World Report, 2000-07-24 | url=http://www.usnews.com/usnews/doubleissue/mysteries/shakespeare.htm; McMichael, George and Edgar M. Glenn. ''Shakespeare and his Rivals: A Casebook on the Authorship Controversy.'' Odyssey Press, 1962. p. 159.</ref> After being proposed in the 1920's, Oxford rapidly overtook Bacon to become the most popular alternative candidate.<ref>Wadsworth, 121.</ref>

Oxfordians point to the acclaim of Oxford's contemporaries regarding his talent as a poet and a playwright, his reputation as a concealed poet, and his personal connections to London theatre and the contemporary playwrights of Shakespeare's day. They also note his long-term relationships with Queen Elizabeth I and the Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, his knowledge of Court life, his documented education, academic and cultural achievements, and his wide-ranging travels through France and Italy to what would later become the locations of many of Shakespeare's plays.   

Oxfordians point to the acclaim of Oxford's contemporaries regarding his talent as a poet and a playwright, his reputation as a concealed poet, and his personal connections to London theatre and the contemporary playwrights of Shakespeare's day. They also note his long-term relationships with Queen Elizabeth I and the Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, his knowledge of Court life, his documented education, academic and cultural achievements, and his wide-ranging travels through France and Italy to what would later become the locations of many of Shakespeare's plays.