The Earl of Oxford

The Earl of Oxford was a noble title in England held by Edward de Vere (1550–1604). Some believe de Vere was the true author behind the works attributed to William Shakespeare, due to his education, poetic talent, and court connections. However, mainstream scholarship attributes Shakespeare's plays to William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon. The "Oxfordian" theory remains a topic of debate among literary historians, but the majority agree Shakespeare himself wrote the plays. The title "Earl of Oxford" signifies a high-ranking noble, and Edward de Vere's association with it has made him a figure of interest in discussions about the authorship of Shakespeare's works.