Attribution scholars rely on a variety of historical documents for information about authorship. Such sources of so-called external evidence of authorship include: entries in the Stationers' Register; references in correspondence, diaries, and biographies; ledgers and receipts; legal records; playlists compiled by stationers; and so on.

This page hosts or links to transcriptions and/or digital images of such documents.

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Bibliographies

• Greg, W.W., ed., A Bibliography of the English Printed Drama to the Restoration, 4 vols (London: Bibliographical Society, 1939–59). Page images: (Vol. 1) [Internet Archive] (Vol. 2) [Internet Archive] (Vol. 3) [Internet Archive] (Vol. 4) [Internet Archive]

Stationers' Register

• Arber, Edwards, ed., A Transcript of the Registers of the Company of Stationers of London; 1554–1640, 5 vols (London, 1875–1894). Page images: (Vol. 1) [HathiTrust] (Vol. 2) [HathiTrust] [HathiTrust] [HathiTrust]
• Bergel, Giles, and Ian Gadd, eds, Stationers' Register Online, CREATe, University of Glasgow, [stationersregister.online]
• Eyre, G.E.B., and C.R. Rivington, eds, A Transcript of the Registers of the Worshipful Company of Stationers from 1640–1708, 3 vols (London, 1913–14). Page images: (Vol. 1) [HathiTrust] [Internet Archive] (Vol. 2) [HathiTrust] (Vol. 3) [HathiTrust]

Henslowe's Diary

• Greg, W.W., ed., Henslowe's Diary, 2 vols (London: A.H. Bullen, 1908). Page images: (Vol. 1) [Internet Archive] (Vol. 2) [Internet Archive]
• Ioppolo, Grace, ed., The Henslowe-Alleyn Digitisation Project. See esp. [page images of Dulwich College Library MSS 7]

Records of Early English Drama (REED)

• [REED Online] (currently includes materials on Berkshire, Hampshire, Staffordshire, and the Rose Playhouse Prototype)

Playlists

• Archer's List (1656). [Lost Plays Database]
• Beeston's List (1639). [Lost Plays Database
• Brooke's List (1658). [Lost Plays Database]
• Harington's List (c. 1612). [Lost Plays Database]
• Hill's List of Early Plays in Manuscript (c. 1677–1703). [Lost Plays Database]
• King's Men repertory list (1641). [Lost Plays Database]
• Marriott's List (1653). [Lost Plays Database]
• Henry Oxinden's List (c. 1663–65). [Lost Plays Database]
• Rogers and Ley's List (1656). [Lost Plays Database]
• Warburton's List (c. 1682–1759). [Lost Plays Database]

Biographies

• Phillips, Edward, Theatrum Poetarum (London, 1675), Wing P2075. Page images: [Internet Archive] | Transcription: [EEBO-TCP Phase I]
• Winstanley, William, The lives of the most famous English Poets, or the Honour of Parnassus (London, 1687), Wing W3065. Page images: [Internet Archive] | Transcription: [EEBO-TCP Phase I]

Extracts

• Cotgrave, John, The English Treasury of Wit and Language (London, 1655), Wing C6368. Page images: [Internet Archive] | See also [Cotgrave Online]

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Page created and maintained by Brett Greatley-Hirsch; updated on 31 August 2021.