Shakespeare’s First Folio's Anniversary: West Chester University

WEST CHESTER, PA – A celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of William Shakespeare’s plays begins Monday, April 10, at West Chester University.

The first publication of Shakespeare’s plays, known as the First Folio, was published in 1623, seven years after his death.

Of the 750 initial copies, West Chester University owns one of the approximately 200 copies that remain in the world.

The university is celebrating the event with a “Fortnight of Festivities” for nearly two weeks.

The celebration begins at noon Monday with the opening of the library exhibition “A Great Variety of Readers: Celebrating 400 Years of Shakespeare's “First Folio.”

The “First Folio” will be on display in the Francis Harvey Green Library, 25 W. Rosedale Ave., West Chester.

“West Chester University is honored and very fortunate to own one of the most desired and rare books in the world,” Ron McColl, special collections librarian, said. "Without the “First Folio,” we might never know some of Shakespeare’s greatest works including “Macbeth,” “Twelfth Night,” “The Tempest,” and more.”

The festival will culminate at noon Sunday, April 23, with a Renaissance Fair followed by a production of “Twelfth Night” on the university’s Quad. More information and a schedule of events here.