'Everything to Everybody'?: A Critical History of the World's Premier Public Shakespeare Library
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Department of English Literature
Abstract
The aim of the Collaborative PhD Award is to provide a scholarly analysis of the 150 year history of the first great Shakespeare Library in the world, examining how the identity and purpose of the Shakespeare Collection has changed over time and questioning what 'good' is Shakespeare, in history and to Birmingham now.
The democratisation of knowledge over the last 150 years is a key part of this country's social history. 'Everything to Everybody' seeks to revitalise and rejuvenate the democratic mission of George Dawson, to bring to life the dream and vision of the Library of Birmingham with the global voice of Shakespeare. By providing a scholarly analysis of the history of the Shakespeare Collection, this PhD will not only fill a gap in our knowledge of one of the greatest Shakespeare collections in the world, but will enlighten us as to catalysts and barriers that have existed in different decades to thwart and promote Dawson's democratic vision. The thesis will be a local history of Birmingham's relationship with Shakespeare, but also with point to wider political and economic fluctuations and how those have impacted on the public's perceived value of collections developed for them.
Through communicating the findings of the thesis I would hope to encourage a sense of ownership in the people of Birmingham; to show them that archival collections tell a universal story, not owned by one class, colour, religion or intellectual ability; but are part of a democratic mission to break down educational disenfranchisement. The largest library in Europe, holds the largest public collection of Shakespeare related material. The fact that the collection has been put together with donations from countries around the world provides the people of today with a powerful statement of unity and collaboration. The stories that emerge from the minute books, accessions lists, collection policies, and from the items themselves, will encourage that sense of unity and throw light on the multi-cultural nature of the collection and the city itself.
A historical analysis of the collection will aid in the re-evaluation of the aims and audience of the collection. The ways in which the collection has been made accessible in the past, will provide fresh insight into how best to burst the elitist bubble around the study and audiences of Shakespeare. How the collection has been developed with provide knowledge as to how a 'people's collection' should be developed in the future, for example, collaborating with local ethnic groups to reassess and redress the cultural, political and social aims of the collection. Active collection development will take Shakespeare and his relationship with the people of Birmingham through the 21st century.
The democratisation of knowledge over the last 150 years is a key part of this country's social history. 'Everything to Everybody' seeks to revitalise and rejuvenate the democratic mission of George Dawson, to bring to life the dream and vision of the Library of Birmingham with the global voice of Shakespeare. By providing a scholarly analysis of the history of the Shakespeare Collection, this PhD will not only fill a gap in our knowledge of one of the greatest Shakespeare collections in the world, but will enlighten us as to catalysts and barriers that have existed in different decades to thwart and promote Dawson's democratic vision. The thesis will be a local history of Birmingham's relationship with Shakespeare, but also with point to wider political and economic fluctuations and how those have impacted on the public's perceived value of collections developed for them.
Through communicating the findings of the thesis I would hope to encourage a sense of ownership in the people of Birmingham; to show them that archival collections tell a universal story, not owned by one class, colour, religion or intellectual ability; but are part of a democratic mission to break down educational disenfranchisement. The largest library in Europe, holds the largest public collection of Shakespeare related material. The fact that the collection has been put together with donations from countries around the world provides the people of today with a powerful statement of unity and collaboration. The stories that emerge from the minute books, accessions lists, collection policies, and from the items themselves, will encourage that sense of unity and throw light on the multi-cultural nature of the collection and the city itself.
A historical analysis of the collection will aid in the re-evaluation of the aims and audience of the collection. The ways in which the collection has been made accessible in the past, will provide fresh insight into how best to burst the elitist bubble around the study and audiences of Shakespeare. How the collection has been developed with provide knowledge as to how a 'people's collection' should be developed in the future, for example, collaborating with local ethnic groups to reassess and redress the cultural, political and social aims of the collection. Active collection development will take Shakespeare and his relationship with the people of Birmingham through the 21st century.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Ewan Fernie (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Karin Thomson (Student) |