The Return of the First Folio 

15 January 2011 – 6 March 2011

Palace Green Library

A rare Shakespeare First Folio, stolen from Durham University in 1998, was displayed in our opening Spotlight exhibition for the first time since its theft. 

The exhibition was repeated later in 2011 due to popular demand. First printed in 1623, the Folio is one of around 230 surviving first collected editions of Shakespeare’s plays. Durham's First Folio is unique. It was bought by John Cosin, and remained in the library that he founded in Durham in 1669 for over 300 years. This exhibition outlines the Folio’s standing in English literature and the remarkable story of its theft and subsequent return to the University in 2010.