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[[Image:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford'' (1575) unknown artist after lost original, National Portrait Gallery, [[London]]]]

[[Image:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford'' (1575) unknown artist after lost original, National Portrait Gallery, [[London]]]]

An '''Oxfordian''' is someone who supports the Oxfordian Theory of Shakespeare Authorship, i.e., that the plays and poems traditionally attributed to [[William Shakespeare]] of Stratford — including some of the greatest plays in the English language — were actually written by Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, an Elizabethan nobleman who lived between 1550 and 1604.

An '''Oxfordian''' is someone who supports the Oxfordian Theory of Shakespeare Authorship, i.e., that the plays and poems traditionally attributed to [[William Shakespeare]] of Stratford — including some of the greatest plays in the English language — were actually written by Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, an Elizabethan nobleman who lived between 1550 and 1604. Oxford has been the leading alternate candidate, since first being proposed in the 1920's.

Shakespeare's humble background appeared to be in contrast to his reputation as a writer, spawning theories he might not have been the original author. Supporters of other writers maintain Shakespeare's education and lack of intimate knowledge about royal courts provide evidence he did not write the works ascribed to him. Many other people have been proposed as alternative authors, such as Sir [[Frances Bacon]], [[Christopher Marlowe]], William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby in addition to Oxford.   

According to early authorship doubters, Shakespeare of Stratford's documented biography appeared to be in contrast to his reputation as a writer, spawning theories he might not have been the original author. Supporters of alternate authorship theories, known as anti-Stratfordians, maintain Shakespeare of Stratford's lack of education, and the author's intimate knowledge of politics, science, law, medicine and royal pastimes, provide doubts he did not write the works ascribed to him. In addition to Oxford, numerous alternate candidates have been proposed, including Sir [[Francis Bacon]], [[Christopher Marlowe]], and William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby.   

Mainstream Shakespeare scholars discount the Oxfordian theory, noting that, according to their own chronology, several of Shakespeare's works postdate Oxford's death 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 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 Oxford's death 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 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 has continued into the 21st century.

==History of the Oxfordian Theory==

==History of the Oxfordian Theory==