author
William T. (William Thomas) Smedley
b. 1851
A British bibliophile and devoted Baconian, he is best remembered for writing The Mystery of Francis Bacon and for building a remarkable collection of Elizabethan books. His interests in Francis Bacon, Shakespeare authorship questions, and rare early literature made him a notable figure in literary collecting circles.
1 Audiobook
The Mystery of Francis Bacon
by William T. (William Thomas) Smedley
About the author
Born in 1851, William Thomas Smedley lived in London and Bath and became known as a bibliophile, collector of Elizabethan material, and supporter of Baconian theories about authorship. Rather than being known mainly as a novelist or poet, he stands out as a literary enthusiast whose work grew from deep reading and collecting.
His best-known book is The Mystery of Francis Bacon, first published in the early 20th century. In it, he explored Francis Bacon’s life and writings and argued for Baconian ideas connected with Shakespeare authorship debates, a subject that drew strong interest from some readers of the period.
Smedley also left a mark as a collector. A substantial portion of his library was sold to Henry Clay Folger in 1924, and many volumes from his collection are now part of the Folger Shakespeare Library. That lasting connection to one of the world’s major Shakespeare collections helps explain why his name still appears in discussions of rare books, Baconian scholarship, and Elizabethan studies.