Shakespeare, Past and President: A Presidents' Day Pop-up
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Shakespeare, Past and President, a pop-up exhibition at the Folger, was open to the public and took place February 19, 2019, from 1-4 pm in the Board Room. This exhibit was curated by Rachel B. Dankert.
Shakespeare, Past and President assembled vault materials from the collection and institutional archives to demonstrate the numerous connections between Shakespeare, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and past Presidents of the United States of America. Over twenty-five former Presidents were represented in the exhibition, from George Washington to Bill Clinton. Henry and Emily Folger chose to build their research library on Capitol Hill to establish the connection between Shakespeare and American civic life. This exhibit recovered some of that history.
Items included
This section includes the list of items displayed in the pop-up exhibit, divided by President, with the years of Presidential service included with each officials' name.
George Washington, First President (1789-1797)
Bell’s edition of Shakespeare’s plays: as they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London: regulated from the prompt books of each house, by permission, with notes critical and illustrative / by the authors of the Dramatic censor. London: Printed for John Bell, near Exeter Exchange in the Strand, and C. Etherington at York, MDCCLXXIIII [1774].
Folger call number: PR2752 1774b copy 5 v. 1 Sh.Col.
This is the Lewis family copy of Shakespeare, presumed to be from George Washington’s library, with tipped-in typed provenance note signed by "Attaway Lewis, [his] Great grand-niece, April 25, 1897." Attaway Lewis was the great-granddaughter of Elizabeth (Betty) Washington Lewis, sister of George Washington. While we’re not sure that this was in George Washington’s library, we do know that his descendant believed it to be so, speaking to the power of Washington’s name, and Shakespeare’s.
John Adams, Second President (1797-1801)
Quotation from Julius Caesar in the hand of John Adams (2.1.22-28)
Folger call number: Y.d.246
Transcription
- Ambition
- Brutus in J. Caesar of Shakespeare
- Tis a common Proof
- That Lowliness is young Ambitions Ladder
- Whereunto the climber upwards turns his face;
- But when he once attains the upmost round,
- He then unto the Ladder turns his back,
- Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
- By which he did ascend. So Caesar may.
In a different hand:
- I have no autograph signature to spare, but the above is in the handwriting of John Adams.
Thomas Jefferson, Third President (1801-1809)
Copy of letter (incomplete) from Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, Virginia, to Doctor Walter Jones, 1814 January 2
Folger call number: Y.c.1420
Jefferson writes of George Washington:
- “He was incapable of fear, meeting personal dangers with the calmest unconcern. Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose whatever obstacles opposed.”
James Madison, Fourth President (1809-1817) and James Monroe, Fifth President (1817-1825)
By the President of the United States of America, suffer the Brig Shakespeare, Curtis Holmes master or commander ... to pass with her company, passengers, goods, and merchandize without any hinderance, seisure, or molestation ...
Folger call number: Y.d.942
Signed by President James Madison and then-Secretary of State James Monroe, allowing the brig Shakespeare to land in Savannah, Georgia.
John Quincy Adams, Sixth President (1825-1829)
Autograph letter, signed, to John B. Davis of Boston. Washington DC, 5 January 1830.
Folger call number: Y.c.10 (2) quotes from The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Transcription
John B. Davis Esqr. Boston
Washington, 5. Jany 1830
Dear Sir.
I have received your obliging Letter of 31st. Oct.? It would be gratifying to me to see the full and authentic account which you mention to have been prest? into your hands_The author may be assured that I shall retain no resentment against him for any share he may have had in the transaction; and that if my forgiveness of any injury that he may have done me can set him at ease with himself, he has it freely. I have been accustom'd all my life to forgive my enemies; even those who do not repent, and of those who do I say with Shakesepear
"Who by Repentance is not satisfied,
Is nor of Heaven nor Earth."_
The secret History of the publication to which you refer is no doubt curious as literary and political History, and as such is peculiarly interesting to me. That the man of duplicates should be thirsty for revenge, I suppose ^will^ not be surprizing to any one.
I would readily comply with your request that I would give you my views of public affairs generally were my information such as could be relied upon with confidence of what is public, you have seen much that cannot be approved by me_of interior discensions in the Cabinet there are tales in circulation, the evidence of which is apocryphal, and which must wait the develop[e]ments of Time.
I thank you heartily for your good wishes and reciprocate them with sincerity.
And remain, with respect your friend and Sevt J.Q. Adams
William Henry Harrison, Ninth President (1841, died in office, succeeded by John Tyler)
Mother Shipton investigated : the result of critical examination in the British Museum library, of the literature relating to the Yorkshire sibyl ... London : W.H. Harrison, 1881.
Folger call number: BF1815.S7 H2
In this text, William Henry Harrison (Old Tippecanoe) details the early modern predictions of one “Mother Shipton.” He completed his investigation at the Bristish Museum Library with books published during the early modern period. While he dismisses predictions of the end of the world as a hoax in the first chapter, the rest of the pamphlet discusses the many times Mother Shipton’s predictions came true. book was published in the year of her most concerning prophecy for Harrison and his contemporaries:
- “The world to an end shall come
- In eighteen hundred eighty one.”
Millard Fillmore, Thirteenth President (1850-1853)
Autograph letter signed from Millard Fillmore to Augustin Daly, 1872 May 25
Folger call number: Y.c.922 (1)
Transcription
Fifth Avenue Hotel
May 25th 1872
Mr. Augustin Daly,
Sir, Allow me to express my thanks for your kindness in sending me a box ticket for your theater. I seldom attend dramatic representations but having heard of the beauty of the Fifth Avenue Theatre I had a desire to see it, and I am happy to say that all which I had heard in its praise was more than realized. I was also greatly delighted with the performance, and feel that I am indebted to you for a very pleasant evening. With my best wishes for your prosperity,
I am truly yours,
Millard Fillmore