Lion's Eye Favorite: "The Gift of Literature that Lasts"
October 15, 2008
Students reading a second folio of Shakespeare's plays published in 1632
Shakespeare enthusiasm at Exeter has heated up. The donation of a 1632 collection of the bard's plays has allowed students to experience Shakespeare in a new way – through reading and touching a book that was published a mere 16 years after Shakespeare's death. The book, generously donated by Rip Noble '58, was delivered with a clear wish – that it be actively used by students, not kept in a vault, unseen.
Noble's wishes came true almost immediately. Instructor Ellen Wolff told two sections of lower English to "expect a surprise." When Jacquelyn Thomas, Academy Librarian, and Andra Crawford, Special Collections Librarian, arrived in class with a large book bag, the students looked perplexed. "You're about to have the most amazing treat," explained Wolff. The students were invited to leaf through the book – wearing white gloves. "Is this the same language we see in the editions we study?" asked one avid reader, who compared the 376-year-old book to his paperback edition of Macbeth.
English Instructor Todd Hearon, whose classes have also enjoyed the book, says, "It would be difficult to overstate how extraordinary this gift is, and our good fortune in being the recipients. Imagine how many Shakespeare scholars are itching to get their hands (albeit in white gloves) on an artifact of this rarity. To have placed it in the hands of PEA students, for their perusal and enrichment, demonstrates an exceptional loyalty and gratitude to this school on behalf of the donor."
It is a remarkable book, measuring approximately 13 x 9 inches and in excellent condition. Called the second folio, it is the second published collection of 36 of Shakespeare's plays. The first folio (published in 1623) was undertaken after Shakespeare's death by two actors – Henry Condell and John Heminges – who wanted to keep an accurate memory of their friend's works alive. The second folio also includes the first printed poem by John Milton, entitled "An Epitaph on the admirable Dramaticke Poet, W. Shakespeare."
Noble's gift came as something of a surprise. Thomas tells the story: "I got a call from Alumni/ae Affairs and Development saying that an alumnus from the class of '58 wanted to present a book to the library. I tried to gauge what kind of book it was. But, it was not until Mr. Noble arrived at the library and removed the wrapping that I understood the generosity of his gift."
Exeter Teachers Inspired Love of Literature
Noble's love of literature was enhanced during his years at Exeter, as his handwritten note accompanying the gift makes clear:
"This 1632 edition of Shakespeare's plays is given to the Phillips Exeter Academy by Rip Noble '58 in gratitude for the English Department and, in particular, my teachers Paul E. Molloy, H. D'Arcy Curwen, Edward R. Scott who taught me to love and respect the English language"
The folio was first given to Noble's grandmother by her husband. "My grandmother let me pick a book from her collection for every birthday and graduation," explains Noble, who went on to study theology after Exeter and Princeton. "I picked it when I graduated from seminary. I was thinking of Exeter and those teachers when I selected it."
"I was most touched by Mr. Noble's words – that it was because of the influence of three of his Exeter English teachers that he had decided to make this gift," says Hearon. "They reminded me again of how we can't know the outcome, of loyalty or of love, of what we try to instill and inspire on a daily basis – not, certainly, gifts, but the gift of literature that lasts."
For Noble, the gift is "a continuation of my grandfather's philosophy. He believed that students should have access to art, artifacts and historical documents."
"I couldn't be happier," said Noble when he learned that students were already exploring Shakespeare in new ways because of his gift. "My grandfather would be delighted."
Interested in learning more?
Learn about Exeter's Class of 1945 Library Special Collections…
Read about a recent Shakespeare play, Love's Labor's Lost, performed by seniors…
Learn more about Exeter's English and theater and dance departments…
Lion's note: this article first appeared on May 29, 2008.
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