Oxfordians Pledge and Carry Out Local Actions Saluting J. Thomas Looney’s 1920 Book
by Linda Bullard, on behalf of the SOF Centennial Committee
Throughout this year, the Shakespeare Oxford Fellowship has been celebrating the 100th anniversary of “Shakespeare” Identified in Edward de Vere the Seventeenth Earl of Oxford, by J. Thomas Looney, the 1920 book that launched the Oxfordian movement by unmasking the author who wrote under the pen name “William Shakespeare.” See all the Faces of the Centennial here.
In addition to the magnificent National Press Club symposium in Washington, D.C., on March 4, the Centennial Committee launched a campaign of local actions, inviting people to pay tribute in whatever way they chose to J. Thomas Looney, the brilliant literary sleuth who revolutionized our view of Shakespeare.
Pledges came in from all across the United States, from tiny towns to our largest cities, and even a few from Europe, to carry out a local Centennial act some time during the year. These have ranged from the simple to the sublime, but none are too small to count toward our goal of giving our members an opportunity to join in the celebration and, at the same time, bring our message to a wider audience.
Some actions were as easy as wearing a Centennial t-shirt on March 4, the date that marked the precise 100th anniversary of the publication, or displaying a Centennial poster on an office door, or pledging to read Looney’s book or give it to a friend or family member.
Other actions were scholarly, such as Dr. Earl Showerman’s six-part life-long learning course and Professor Michael Delahoyde’s introduction of the authorship question to nearly 100 students in three of his classes.
Robin Phillips made a gargantuan effort to get the word out by entering her film, Behind the Name Shakespeare—Power, Lust, Scorn and Scandal, into hundreds of film festivals around the world. Bob Meyers made available his introductory power-point presentation on the Shakespeare authorship question (SAQ) for anyone to use, and the offer was accepted.
The Oberon Shakespeare Study Group in Michigan planned a luncheon party with readings from “Shakespeare” Identified by a local actor, birthday cake, and toasts. There were private screenings for friends, family, and neighbors of films about Edward de Vere (Earl of Oxford), such as Cheryl Eagan-Donovan’s Nothing Is Truer Than Truth (2018) and Laura Wilson’s and Lisa Wilson’s Last Will. & Testament (2012). These events have brought new converts to the cause. Copies of the Centenary Edition of Looney’s book, published by James A. Warren (2020 Oxfordian of the Year), were presented to public libraries and individuals. Articles and letters related to the Centennial were submitted to local papers and newsletters.
There was even a champagne toast party for J. Thomas Looney on his 150th birthday on August 14! And there were financial contributions, both large and small.
In Brussels, Belgium, there was to have been a tour of places which existed when Edward de Vere was in the Low Countries, followed by discussion and dinner featuring foods from the 16th century. In Newcastle, England, there was a pledge to contact the local authority requesting that a “Blue Plaque” historical marker be attached to the house where Looney lived. The De Vere Society had planned a celebratory event at the Lit & Phil, the library in Newcastle where Looney conducted his research, which was scheduled for July 4.
And then … just as we were getting into the swing of things … covid hit. Although some were able to carry out their pledged Centennial actions before the lockdowns, many were not, and those which involved some level of public outreach were stopped in their tracks. The virus tragically took the life of the SOF’s former President Tom Regnier, who in addition to speaking at the National Press Club had pledged to give a lecture on Looney in Florida, where he lived.
For someone planning to give a talk in a nursing home, like Patricia Carrelli, there is obviously no way to do so during the pandemic. But others giving talks were able to use Zoom as an effective alternative. Distribution of flyers and an authorship lecture were planned in conjunction with annual productions of Shakespeare-in-the-Park in Indianapolis and Texas, but the performances had to be cancelled due to covid.
ForEVER
One type of action which was not affected by the virus was making the Oxfordian message a permanent and visible feature on the body … by means of a TATTOO! And yes, there were not one but THREE dedicated Oxfordians who made this extraordinary commitment to the cause!
Ethan Kaye, who works for an advertising company in New York City, had the striking Marian Crown from Oxford’s signature tattooed on his wrist (at right). He comments: “I wanted my first tattoo to be something visually appealing but with a lot of meaning behind it. Choosing the abstract mark above Oxford’s signature fulfilled both needs, and it reinforces a position I’ve passionately held for a number of years: Edward de Vere wrote the works of Shakespeare. Plus, it’s a fantastic conversation starter that gets me talking about the authorship debate to new people.”
Heidi Jannsch and her daughter got flowery, eye-catching, matching green mother-and-daughter tattoos on their ankles (at left), with the motto of Edward de Vere, “Vero Nihil Verius” — the motto that Ramon Jiménez (2018 co-Oxfordian of the Year) brilliantly rendered as “Nothing Truer Than Vere” in his article in the Winter 2018 issue (p. 16) of the Shakespeare Oxford Newsletter.
Although the Centennial Local Actions Campaign was stopped midstream by the covid pandemic, the effort revealed the enormous creativity of our SOF members and their desire to shine a light on the truth about Shakespeare in their own communities.
To all our SOF members: Your enthusiasm has been inspiring. We sincerely thank all of you who have come forward to pay tribute to J. Thomas Looney and his book “Shakespeare” Identified during this Centennial year. A number of celebrants consider their actions to be merely postponed. They are committed to rescheduling them in 2021, which actually marks another Looney Centennial Year, because it will be the 100th anniversary of the publication of Looney’s second book, The Poems of Edward de Vere, Seventeenth Earl of Oxford.
Whether they were able to carry out their pledges in 2020, were prevented from doing so by force majeure, or are still hoping to reschedule them in 2021, these are the Faces of the Centennial.
(Editorial Note: Linda Bullard has served since March 2020 as chair of the SOF Centennial Committee, also known as the “SI-100 Committee,” and has played a leading role on the committee helping to organize the Looney Centennial over the past two years.)
