Welcome
Home of the Declaration of Reasonable Doubt About the Identity of William Shakespeare
Verified signatory count: 2601Next signing deadline: April, 2013
Why was I never told this?
Keir Cutler tells what changed his mind about Shakespeare, and why he signed the Declaration of Reasonable Doubt.
Read along with Michael York
Now you can listen to actor Michael York read the Declaration of Reasonable Doubt as you read along.
Read the Declaration now →
Doubters upstage sixty defenders of orthodoxy
Exposing an Industry in Denial: Authorship doubters respond to "60 Minutes with Shakespeare"
(87-page pdf)
SAC News
SAC Update, April 2011: Over 2,000 sign Declaration of Reasonable Doubt
Southern Oregon Mail Tribune on the Declaration signing event in Ashland
Theater professionals sign Shakespeare Authorship Declaration in Ashland, OR
Wall Street Journal on Supreme Court Justices’ views of Authorship Question
What is the SAC about?
The Shakespeare Authorship Coalition runs this website so anyone who cares about Shakespeare, as we do, can easily see why his identity has long been in doubt, and sign a definitive declaration addressing the issue — the Declaration of Reasonable Doubt About the Identity of William Shakespeare, located on this site. We have nothing against the man from Stratford-on-Avon, but we doubt that he was the author of the works.
Our goal is to legitimize the issue in academia so students, teachers and professors can feel free to pursue it. This is necessary because the issue is widely viewed as settled in academia and is treated as a taboo subject. We believe that an open-minded examination of the evidence shows that the issue should be taken seriously. Your signature on the Declaration will help us make the case that there is reasonable doubt about the author.
What is the Declaration?
The Declaration was written to counter orthodox claims that there's no doubt who wrote the works. It provides a concise, definitive overview of the evidence and arguments for and against William Shakspere of Stratford as the author. It was written not just to advocate, but also to educate the public about the controversy. Nearly three dozen Shakespeare scholars helped write it, and even some supporters of the Stratford man have praised it.
Among the many prominent people who have signed the Declaration are actors Derek Jacobi, Jeremy Irons, Michael York and Mark Rylance, founding Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, and former U.S. Supreme Court Justices John Paul Stevens and Sandra Day O’Connor. The signatories page on this site shows a complete list of all signatories, plus separate lists for notable and academic signatories.
What can you do to help?
- Watch the Keir Cutler YouTube video: Shakespeare Authorship Question:
Why Was I Never Told This? - Read and sign the Declaration.
- Then, help spread the word.
Thank you.

