Edward de Vere over Shakespeare
There are several candidates for the true authorship of Shakespeare’s plays, but only about four are really considered. According to many people who associate with this dispute, the best candidate in the authorship debate over Shakespeare’s writings is Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford. Though it cannot be proven fully, De Vere has several qualities and connections that link him with Shakespeare’s playwrights. Edward de Vere was born April 12th, 1550 at Castle Hedingham in Essex and died in June of 1604. ... Aside from his education, De Vere’s writing was ranked first among Elizabeth’s courtier poets. ... Edward de Vere’s extensive educational background dominates when compared with Shakespeare. According to the Oxfordians, Shakespeare had a reputation of being a businessman in Stratford, but this is debatable. It has also been suggested that Shakespeare did not have a high educational level in literacy. ... The signature on his will is known to be one of the only six documents of Shakespeare’s actual handwriting. ... Along with Oxford’s great educational background, he has also been known to have a large library giving him the tools to write as if he were Shakespeare.