Abstract
This editorial discusses the long-standing rumor that William Shakespeare's skull was stolen from his grave. An anonymous story from 1879, initially dismissed as fiction, gained new attention in 2016 during the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. A 2016 British Broadcasting Company (BBC) production documented findings from Staffordshire University's study using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on Shakespeare's grave at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. The archaeologist Kevin Colls from Staffordshire University concluded that Shakespeare's remains are indeed in the grave, "not counting the cranio-maxillofacial components," suggesting the skull may be missing. Despite these findings, the Vicar of Holy Trinity has stated that the church has no interest in opening the grave, honoring Shakespeare's epitaph which curses anyone who disturbs his bones.
Recommended Citation
Orr, Daniel L. II, DDS, MS, Ph.D., JD, MD
(2025)
"Shakespeare’s Skull,"
AADEJ - The Communicator: Vol. 11:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/aadej-communicator/vol11/iss2/2