author
C. M. (Clement Mansfield) Ingleby
1823–1886
A Victorian Shakespeare scholar with a detective’s eye, he became known for testing evidence carefully and challenging doubtful claims about the Bard. His writing ranges from philosophy to literary criticism, but Shakespeare remained at the center of his reputation.
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About the author
Born at Edgbaston, near Birmingham, on 29 October 1823, Clement Mansfield Ingleby was educated privately and went on to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he earned his BA in 1847 and later took higher degrees. He first followed the family profession in law, working in his father’s office and eventually becoming a partner before leaving legal practice in 1859 to focus on literary work.
He is best remembered as an English Shakespearean scholar. Ingleby wrote widely on Shakespeare’s texts, sources, and reputation, and he became especially noted for exposing forged or doubtful Shakespeare documents associated with John Payne Collier. His scholarship helped build a more careful, evidence-based approach to Shakespeare studies.
Although Shakespeare was his main subject, Ingleby also wrote on logic, metaphysics, and other literary topics, showing a range that went beyond a single field. He died on 26 September 1886 at Valentines, Ilford, leaving behind the reputation of a learned and sharp-minded critic whose work was valued for its seriousness and precision.