William Jaggard

English publisher

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June 29, 2026

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William Jaggard was an English publisher in the early 17th century. He was a key figure in the publication of William Shakespeare's works. Jaggard, along with a syndicate of other men, was instrumental in producing the First Folio in 1623. This collection of 36 of Shakespeare's plays is the primary source for many of his plays today. The First Folio was a massive undertaking, and it was printed by Jaggard's son, Isaac. Before the First Folio, many of Shakespeare's plays were published individually in smaller formats called quartos, some of which were of poor quality.1

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First Folio
…headed by Edward Blount and William Jaggard. The actors John Heminge and Henry Condell undertook the collection of 36 of Shakespeare’s plays, and about 1,000 copies of the First Folio were printed, none too well, by Jaggard’s son, Isaac.
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…headed by Edward Blount and William Jaggard. The actors John Heminge and Henry Condell undertook the collection of 36 of Shakespeare’s plays, and about 1,000 copies of the First Folio were printed, none too well, by Jaggard’s son, Isaac.
Read More