Emily Jordan Folger

Emily Jordan Folger was an American philanthropist, scholar, and the co-founder of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.. A graduate of Vassar College, she was a dedicated student of William Shakespeare and collaborated closely with her husband, Henry Clay Folger, to build one of the world's premier collections of Shakespeareana. Her intellectual partnership and financial stewardship were instrumental in creating a national institution dedicated to the study of Early Modern English literature and culture.

Early Life and Education

Emily Clara Jordan was born in Ironton, Ohio, to a prominent family; her father, Edward Jordan, was a lawyer and judge. She attended the Charterhouse School for girls in New York City before enrolling at Vassar College, a pioneering institution for women's higher education. At Vassar, she studied under the influential Shakespearean scholar Hiram Corson, who ignited her lifelong passion for the Bard of Avon. She graduated in 1879, later earning a master's degree from the same institution, and her thesis on the Shakespeare authorship question demonstrated her early scholarly rigor.

Career

Though not employed in a traditional career, Emily Jordan Folger's life's work was her scholarly collaboration with her husband. After their marriage in 1885, she became an integral research partner to Henry Clay Folger, who was then an executive with the Standard Oil Company. She applied her academic training to help authenticate, catalog, and acquire items for their growing collection, which included rare quartos, First Folios, and other Renaissance-era manuscripts. Her expertise was particularly valued in navigating the complex world of rare book dealers in London and New York City.

Personal Life

Emily Jordan married Henry Clay Folger in 1885, and the couple resided primarily in Brooklyn and later Glen Cove, New York. They had no children, and their shared devotion to Shakespeare formed the core of their personal and intellectual lives. They traveled extensively in Europe to visit archives and book auctions, building a network with other collectors and scholars. Her life was deeply intertwined with the cultural circles of the Gilded Age, though she maintained a characteristically private demeanor, focusing her energies on the collection and its future home.

Philanthropy and Legacy

Emily Jordan Folger's philanthropy was the realization of a shared vision with her husband. Following Henry Clay Folger's death in 1930, she assumed full responsibility for executing their ambitious plan to build a library. She oversaw the construction of the Folger Shakespeare Library on land donated by the United States Congress near the United States Capitol. She worked closely with the architect Paul Philippe Cret and provided continuous guidance to ensure the institution would serve as both a research center and a cultural gift to the American people, establishing an endowment for its perpetual care.

The Folger Shakespeare Library

The Folger Shakespeare Library, dedicated in 1932, stands as the enduring monument to the Folgers' partnership. Housing the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, it also contains vast materials related to the English Renaissance, the Elizabethan era, and the Jacobean era. Under Emily's leadership as the first president of the library's board, it became affiliated with Amherst College, her husband's alma mater. Today, the library is a leading research institution under the stewardship of the Folger Institute, hosting scholars, producing theatrical productions in the Folger Theatre, and offering public educational programs.