Miami University Libraries

This copy of the First Folio was donated to Miami University in 1949 as part of a complete set of the four Shakespeare folios by Dr. Otto O. Fisher. Dr. Fisher was an alumnus of Miami University and a book collector. Prior to that, this copy’s earliest known owner was Chandos Leigh, 1^st Baron Leigh. He was a literary patron and a poet who attended Harrow School, where he met Lord Byron. He was also friends with Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Mary Shelley, James Henry Leigh Hunt, and Edmund Kean. He privately published about 20 volumes of poetry during his lifetime. However, his title was challenged by relatives which led to astonishing events such as the invasion of his home, or an accusation that he stole incriminating evidence from his family tomb and buried it along with the crime witness, who he had allegedly killed. These accusations were eventually dismissed. After his death, the volume passed to his son, William Henry Leigh, 2^nd Baron Leigh. In 1927, the copy was sold to Frederick S. Peck and later, to Dr. Fisher. This copy is currently preserved together with the other folios donated by Dr. Fisher and miscellaneous materials such as descriptions and advertisement of these copies.