Oct. 14, 2011: First Friday Speakers Series presents "Who Was William Shakespeare?" 
Join us as we welcome Prof. Graham Holderness, renowned scholar of early modern literature, novelist, and poet. Prof. Holderness will be presenting on the topic of "Who Was William Shakespeare" a part of our First Fridays Speakers Series.
Date: Friday, October 14, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Hamilton Smith Hall, room 101
Who was William Shakespeare?
Presented by:
Graham Holderness, PhD, DLitt, FEA, FRSA, FRSM
Professor of English
University of Hertfordshire (UK)
Author of the forthcoming Nine Lives of William Shakespeare (London and New York, Continuum Press, 2011)
Who was William Shakespeare? A question that could hardly be asked about any other national poet, but is routinely posed in relation to Shakespeare. Since the 19th century people have felt that Shakespeare's life is mysterious and unfathomable; that Shakespeare the man is not worthy of Shakespeare's works; and even that someone else might have written the plays and poems.
Graham Holderness looks at the life of Shakespeare as recreated in scholarly biographies and popular films, and suggests that speculation and invention are far more prevalent in Shakespeare biography than most of its practitioners are prepared to admit. Holderness calls for a 'New Biography' of Shakespeare that is capable of embracing the mystery and ambiguity of Shakespeare's life-story alongside the historical evidence and received tradition.
Graham Holderness is author of Nine Lives of William Shakespeare (London and New York, Continuum Press, 2011). This event is free and open to the public. Presented with the support of the Edmund G. Miller Fund. For more information, please contact the UNH English Department: (603) 862-1313.
