Joseph Quincy Adams, Jr.

1880–1946 (age 66)

scholar

Biography

Joseph Quincy Adams, Jr. (1880–1946) stands among the great Shakespearean scholars of his era and rests at Rock Creek Cemetery. As the founding director of the Folger Shakespeare Library, he shaped a world-class institution that preserved priceless Elizabethan texts and welcomed scholars from around the globe.

His writing and teaching inspired generations of students to appreciate the richness of early modern drama, and he championed collaborative scholarship that celebrated the Bard’s enduring humanity. His gentle leadership assured the Folger remained both a scholarly refuge and a spirited cultural home.

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