Row breaks down the bizarre claim that William Shakespeare’s works could have been written by a WOMAN

William Shakespeare’s mastery of the English language has been unchallenged for centuries.

But a renowned literary institution has sparked outrage by hosting a debate over whether some of the Bard’s works could have been written by a woman.

Oliver Kamm, a journalist and author, has written to the chairman of the London Library to complain about the ‘wildly inappropriate’ event and its ‘promotion of a baseless and anti-intellectual conspiracy theory’.

The 19th-century library, which contains a million books, is hosting a panel discussion in June with Elizabeth Winkler, author of the controversial book ‘Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies’, which explores ‘who the bard might really be’.

The book looks at ‘how the forces of nationalism and empire, religion and myth-making, gender and class have shaped our admiration of Shakespeare over the centuries.’

It analyzes the ‘literary taboo’ of not questioning the ‘identity of the god of English literature’, which it has been suggested could involve a ‘forgotten woman, a disgraced aristocrat or a government spy’ writing some of his works.

London Library’s discussion on such a divisive subject will also involve Sir Derek Jacobi, one of the great Shakespearean actors, and author and critic Stephanie Merritt.

However, Kamm has written to library chairman Simon Goodwin to criticize the ‘institution’ for holding the event.

He described it as a ‘serious misjudgment’, adding: ‘It is a cost of indulging in conspiracy theories, which is evident in the spread of public discourse and the spread of irrationalism.’

Sir. Kamm wrote: ‘To host a ‘conversation’ with Shakespeare deniers is a betrayal of the values ​​of literary scholarship and critical inquiry that we hold dear.’

He compared it to the Royal Geographical Society holding a ‘flat earth’ discussion.

Winkler’s book explores arguments for possible Shakespearean author candidates, including poet Emilia Bassano, playwright Christopher Marlowe, philosopher Francis Bacon and Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford.

But Mr Kamm commented that “literary scholars reject these fancies because there is no evidence to support the concept of hidden authorship”.

The London Library (pictured) is holding a panel discussion with Elizabeth Winkler, the author of the controversial book ‘Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies’

London Library’s (pictured) discussion on such a divisive subject will also involve Sir Derek Jacobi, one of the great Shakespearean actors, and author and critic Stephanie Merritt

Sir. Kamm encouraged the library to add a Shakespeare specialist to the series, such as Professor Emma Smith, an expert in Shakespeare studies at the University of Oxford.

Another critic of the event was Jonathan Beckman, editor of The Economist’s 1843 magazine, who wrote on X that he had also written to the director because ‘the library is supposed to be a bastion of scholarship.’

The London Library was unavailable for comment.

Ms Winkler said her book and the discussion at the London Library ‘did not suggest that Shakespeare was a woman.’

She said her book ‘deals with the theories that have been put forward over the centuries. It does not argue for any of them in particular.’

Commenting on Mr Kamm and critics of the library event, she added: ‘I’m not sure why these people feel so threatened by a simple library discussion.

“Arguments about the past are a fundamental feature of academic freedom and democratic debate.

‘There is nothing dangerous or ‘immoral’ in exploring this subject. Shutting down the discussion is obviously anti-intellectual.’