This year marks the 400 anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare.

One way to celebrate this significant commemoration is to explore Shakespeare Documented, the largest and most authoritative resource for learning about primary sources surrounding the life and career of William Shakespeare.  A collaboration among more than 30 partners including the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford, the British Library, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the National Archives were among the 30 partners, the growing online exhibition is free and publicly accessible and includes images, descriptions, and transcriptions of references and allusions to Shakespeare and his works during his lifetime and shortly thereafter.

The collection can be filtered by tags within the following categories:

Playwright, actor & shareholder

• Collaborations and (mis)attributions
• Contemporary accounts and critical responses to plays
• Plays in print
• Plays in the Stationers’ Register
• Shakespeare’s company
• Shakespeare’s playhouses

Shakespeare the poet

• Poetry in print 
• Poetry in the Stationers’ Register
• Contemporary accounts and critical responses to poetry

Family, legal & property records

• Legal and financial
• Personal property
• Shakespeare’s family

17th-century legacies

Share this primary source goodness with your high school English (and perhaps, your World History) friends!

Also, throughout the year, the Folger Shakespeare Library will celebrate 400 years of Shakespeare with The Wonder of Will, including exhibitions, podcast lectures, teaching modules, Shakespeare in American Life, performances, special events, and more. You may choose to get involved by sharing videos using the #MySHX400 hashtag.