Folger Shakespeare Library

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• Learn more about drama, language arts, literature, and world history.

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“Folger Shakespeare Library is an independent research library. Opened in 1932, the Folger was a gift to the American people from Henry Clay Folger and his wife Emily Jordan Folger. A major center for scholarly research, the Folger houses the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, in addition to a magnificent collection of other rare Renaissance books and manuscripts on all disciplines--history and politics, theology and exploration, law and the arts. The collection, astonishing in its range and variety, consists of approximately 280,000 books and manuscripts; 27,000 paintings, drawings, engravings and prints; and musical instruments, costumes and films.”

There are several resources which may be of use for teachers and students on this website. Browsing through the past exhibitions, you will find sometimes more, sometimes less information on topics such as Queen Elizabeth, bookbinding, provenance, food in Shakespeare’s England, and women in the 17th century.There is also a Shakespeare for Kids section, which includes coloring pages, a Shakespeare quiz, images of some of the coolest items from the library’s collection, and Shakespeare puzzles.Teachers will find a great variety of resources to bring Shakespeare in the classroom at any grade level with ideas on using primary sources in your lessons, sample lesson plans, and comments from other teachers in the Teachers’ Lounge.