Document ID ET-D412, Image 5 of 6
The Shakespeare Association: Incorporating the Shakespeare Day Committee. The Shakespeare Association was founded in connection with the Shakespeare Tercentenary, 1916, its purpose being to maintain and strengthen some of the efforts put forth on that occasion notwithstanding the preoccupations of the time. The aims of the association are (i) to promote the study and interpretation of Shakespeare, (ii) to further the appreciation of Shakespeare in the life of the nation and the English-speaking peoples, and in other countries, (iii) to advance Shakesperian research, and to help forward investigations in dramatic and other literature, history, bibliography, and the various branches of learning bearing on the Poet and his work, (iv) to record the progress of studies and activities relating to Shakespeare, (v) to hold meetings for discussions and to publish papers and monographs on Shakesperian subjects. On May 3rd, 1917, at a memorable meeting, presided over by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, held at King's College, organised by the Shakespeare Association, it was resolved to promote the observance of an Annual Shakespeare Day in the schools and other institutions. His Excellency Dr. W. H. Page, the American Ambassador, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, asked permission to add to the Resolution the expression of the hope that the schools of the United States of America would in a similar way see fit to observe the Day. Accordingly, a Shakespeare Day Committee was constituted to bring about the observance of Shakespeare Day throughout the English-speaking world. This Committee became incorporated in the Shakespeare Association, and Dr. Page, who had actively participated in the movement, became President of the Association, and to the day of his death was enthusiastic for its aims. His Excellency The Hon. J. W. Davis, the American Ambassador, has succeeded him at the President of the Association. Thus there are two main aspects of the work that the Shakespeare Association wishes to accomplish. It has been urged from many quarters that an effort should be made to establish a Shakespeare Society for the advancement of Shakesperian studies and research, and for the publication of investigations. Before the war the only available organ for publications of this kind was "The German Shakespeare Society's Year-Book." It is, perhaps, hardly necessary further to urge the claims of the Shakespeare Association, which hopes to satisfy the undoubted need in this respect. In view of the educational developments of the time, the more popular side of the Association's work is not the least important, and the Shakespeare Day movement, which is bring more and more recognised throughout the Empire and America, will, it is hoped, realise the aims set forth on Shakespeare Day, 1917, and will emphasize in the era of peace the common ideals for the welfare of humanity uniting the English-speaking peoples. We sincerely hope that those present at this notable Shakespeare Day Festival, who are not already members of the Association will evince their interest by joining our roll of members. All may help by inducing friends to join. Membership forms are herewith enclosed. The annual subscription is a modest one, five shillings (which will cover the period, in the present instance, till June, 1921). The composition fee for Life Membership is £5. The forms dully filled up with name and address, will be collected, but no payments should be made at this performance. I. Gollancz, Chairman of the Shakespeare Association. King's College, Strand, W.C.2. 1919-1920 The Shakespeare Association Incorporating The Shakespeare Day Committee. President: His Excellency The Hon. J. W. Davis, American Ambassador. Hon. Treasurer: Mr. A.G. Snelgrove. Vice-Presidents. Sir Frank Benson, Dr. F. S. Boas, Mr. Arthur Bourchier, Dr. A. C. Bradley, Dr. Henry Bradley, Sir Frederick Bridge, C.V.O, The Right Hon. Viscount Bryce, O.M., Mr. E.K. Chambers, C.B., Professor A. Feuillerat (Rennes), Mr. A. D. Flower (Stratford-on-Avon), Sir Jonston Forbes-Robertson, Mr. H. H. Furness (Philadelphia), Professor C.M. Gayley (California), Mr. Edmund Grosse, C.B., Dr. W. W. Greg, Sir Henry Hadow, Professor C. H. Herford, Matthias Jochumsson (Iceland), His Excellency J. J. Jusserand (Washington), Professor W. P. Ker, Professor G. L. Kitteridge (Harvard University), Sir Sidney Lee, The Right Hon. D. H. Madden, Professor John M. Manly (Chicago University), Professor Gilbert Murray, Mr. Alfred Noves, The Right Hon. The Earl of Plymouth, Mr. Alfred W. Pollard, Sir Walter Raleigh, The Right Hon. J. M. Robertson, Mr. H. M. Spielmann, Professor George Saintsbury, Sir Edward Maunde Thomson, G.C.B, Sir A. W. Ward (Master of Peterhouse). Sir Chales C. Wakefield, Bart. (Hon. Treas., Shakespeare Day Committee.) Council: Chairman: Sir Israel Gollancz, King's College, Strand. Mr. William Archer, +The Rev. Ronald Bayne, +Dr. F. S. Boas, +Miss Mabel Day, Mr. A. Percival Graves, *Dr. W. W. Greg, Mr. C. T. Hunt, +Mr. Patrick Kirwan, Mr. Holford Knight, +Miss Grace Latham, Mr. Ernest Law, C.B, *Sir Sidney Lee, +Mr. S. R. Littlewood, *Dr. R. B. McKerrow, +Dr. G. MacLean, *Mr. A. W. Pollard, +Mr. A. W. Reed, The Right Hon, J. M. Robertson, +Mr. Harold Routh, +Mrs C. C. Stopes, *Mr. Dugdale Sykes, Professor Foster Watson, *Mr. Dover Wilson. Hon. Auditor: Mr. Joseph Cox, Incorpd. Acct. Hon Secretary: Miss Eleanor Calvert. Bankers: London County Westminster and Parr's Bank. *Advisory Committee for Papers and Publications. +Committee of Management.
© Image copyright The National Trust 2024