When William Shakespeare first began his career, we see evidence in his plays as well as life decisions that he was an ambitious man, almost constantly trying to secure connections with the right people in the right places to move his reputation upwards in society. One very key way we see Shakespeare intentionally seek out forward motion for his career is by his connection to Richard Field. Field is a printer who grew up in Stratford Upon Avon, likely going to the same school as William Shakespeare, and at the same time. The men both grew up to establish professional careers in London, and it seems William Shakespeare sought out Richard Field to publish Venus & Adonis as well as Rape of Lucrece which under Field’s direction, connections, and influence would go on to become the most popular poetry in all of Renaissance Europe.

Today our guest Adam Hooks, the foremost expert on Richard Field, and author of the book Selling Shakespeare: Biography, Bibliography, and the Book Trade, and he joins us to introduce us to Richard Field, John Harrison, and their bookshop, The White Greyhound in London that would form the foundation for William Shakespeare’s success as a poet. 

Adam G. Hooks is an Associate Professor in the Department of English and the Center for the Book at the University of Iowa. He us currently the editor for the Arden Shakespeare 4th series volume of "Poems."