Oxfordian

Oxfordian refers to supporters of the Oxfordian theory of Shakespeare authorship, or more broadly to anything relating to Oxford. In literary discussions, an Oxfordian is a person who believes Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, wrote the plays and poems traditionally attributed to William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon. The theory emerged in the early 20th century, most prominently through J. Thomas Looney's work in 1920, which argued that de Vere's life and courtly milieu align with numerous biographical hints in the works. Proponents contend that the true author concealed his identity and that textual and biographical clues point to de Vere’s authorship, including links to his travels, knowledge of court life and politics, classical learning, and allegations of hidden references or wordplay. The movement later developed organized study groups and journals, such as the Shakespeare Oxford Society and related Oxfordian research networks.

Mainstream scholarship, however, rejects the Oxfordian claim. The prevailing view among literary historians attributes the works to William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon, and regards the case for de Vere’s sole authorship as speculative and lacking contemporaneous documentation. Critics challenge the procedures used to match biographical details to texts and point to the stylistic and linguistic features that align with a single, professional author working in Elizabethan and Jacobean theater. The term Oxfordian thus denotes both a position in the Shakespeare authorship debate and an identity tied to the Earl of Oxford and his supposed literary legacy. See also Shakespeare authorship question, Edward de Vere, William Shakespeare.