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Sir Francis Bacon And William Shakespeare

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1 There are a variety of theories that suggest that Sir Francis Bacon was, in fact, William Shakespeare. Supporters of these claims refer to Shakespeare’s writing style, lack of education, and reportedly hidden messages within his texts as some of the evidence that indicates that Bacon was the real author of the many plays and poems attributed to Shakespeare. However, these assertions do not conclusively substantiate the Bacon theory and only attempt to discredit the real William Shakespeare. Therefore, Sir Francis Bacon did not write as William Shakespeare. The first theory of Sir Francis Bacon being the true author of Shakespeare came from the author Delia Bacon-no relation. Delia Bacon was a failed novelist and school teacher. In the late 1850’s, she made the general public aware of the Bacon theory through both an essay and book on the subject. Bacon claimed that a comparison of Sir Francis Bacon’s writings with those of Shakespeare proved that Bacon was the true author, as she contended the writing styles were the same. As a result, she did start the Baconian movement, which many people believe to be true. Her book, The Philosophy of the Plays of Shakspere Unfolded, was written in 1857, and the preface of the book was written by Nathanial Hawthorne. Hawthorne’s preface never gives support or validation to Bacon’s findings. He ends his preface with the following statement, “It is for the public to say whether my countrywoman has proved her theory. In

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