On Display: William Shakespeare

This month, Hewes Library’s featured author is William Shakespeare, an English dramatist, poet and playwright who lived from 1564 to 1616. His writings came to light under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and then again throughout the reign of Queen Victoria and inspired a resurgence in the Victorian period.



Shakespeare is considered by many to be the best in English literature. Shakespeare is known for his plays, including comdies like As You Like It, historical plays revolving around British royalty, and plays based on Ancient Greece and Rome, such as Julius Caesear. Shakespeare also penned several tragedies (Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth) and towards the end of his career, tragicomedies of which The Tempest and The Winter's Tale. His collection of sonnets, number around 150, is impressive and still subject to much scholarly debate today.


Items is this display case are from the library’s circulating and Reference collections. Please inquire at the Circulation desk if you would like to check materials out.