New Oxfordian group formed in Chicago; authorship question surfaces at Harvard; 2nd Annual Shakespeare Festival in Vermont this August.(Oxfordian News)

Illinois

Oxfordians in Chicago held the first meeting of the newly formed Chicago Oxford Society (an independent organization) on April 29th. Their inaugural meeting began with a letter of congratulations from Shakespeare Oxford Society President Aaron Tatum being read.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Ren Draya of Blackburn College, whose speech "How Oxford Won Me Over" was well received by an audience of 27, several of whom are current members of the Shakespeare Oxford Society, but most of whom were newcomers to the authorship debate. Dr. Draya is also a trustee of the Shakespeare Oxford Society.

Co-founders of the COS, Bill Farina and Marion Buckley, reported that at least one Stratfordian who attended spoke with them afterwards, and left the meeting converted. The Society is sponsoring a second meeting this July 20th at the Newbury Library, and has arranged for Oxfordian editor Stephanie Hughes to speak on "Shakespeare's Dark Lady."

Chicago-area Oxfordians interested in learning more about the COS should …