Description
The Francis Bacon Library was a private
rare book research library on the campus of the Claremont Colleges in Claremont, California.
It was founded by Walter Conrad Arensberg and his wife, Louise Stevens Arensberg. In 1938,
they established The Francis Bacon Foundation to promote study of the life and works of
statesman Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626). The Foundation administered the Francis Bacon
Library, which included a comprehensive collection on the Shakespeare authorship
controversy, a subject of great personal interest to Walter Arensberg, who believed that
Bacon was the true author of Shakespeare's plays. This archive contains the records of the
Library, which closed in 1995, including papers and correspondence of scholars interested in
Bacon and the authorship question. It also contains the personal and family papers of the
Arensbergs, and Walter Arensberg's cryptographic files and research on the authorship
controversy.
Background
The Francis Bacon Library was a private rare book library that stood on the campus of
Claremont Colleges, California, from 1960 to 1995. It was established and operated by the
Francis Bacon Foundation, created in 1938 by Walter Conrad Arensberg (1878-1954) and his
wife, Louise Stevens Arensberg (1879-1953).
Extent
70.6 Linear Feet
(152 boxes, 1 oversize folder, 1 object)
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.