Announcements
Join the Marlowe Society online now
The Autumn 2012 Journal is out
Research Journal #9: [4 Articles Online]
Our Marlowe Guide
Marlowe's Works: Massacre Overview
Marlowe Literary Walk in Canterbury
Globe on Screen DVD: Doctor Faustus
Listen: Proving Shakespeare Webinar from the Stratford Literary Festival
Dido in Greenwich: 14 May-01 Jun
Doctor Faustus in Falmouth: 17-18 May
Marlowe Day in Canterbury: 08 Jun
Rose: 2013 Season
Globe: 2013 Season
Welcome to The Marlowe Society
Christopher Marlowe as poet and playwright was at the forefront of the 16th Century dramatic renaissance, a man to whom Shakespeare and others owe a huge debt of gratitude. He also led a full and intriguing life outside the theatre. Entangled in the outer reaches of the Elizabethan espionage web, Marlowe's life is alleged to have ended prematurely in 1593 when, at just 29, he was reportedly stabbed to death in Deptford.
The Objects of The Marlowe Society are to present Christopher Marlowe in his true light as a great poet and playwright, the innovator of blank verse drama; to encourage the performance of his plays; to discuss and study Elizabethan and Jacobean literature with particular attention to Marlowe's place in it; and to publish historically valid information about him based on research. Read more about the Society's policy, including its position on the Shakespearean Authorship debate.
The Marlowe Society is a registered charity whose objects are to provide, develop and encourage the advancement of education for the public benefit in the field of Elizabethan literature, and that of Christopher Marlowe in particular.
Our website contains much information about Marlowe's life and work, details about the Society and how to join, sample articles from the Society's publications (the Journal and Research Journal), as well as news, and details of forthcoming events and meetings.
The Face That Launched...?
This portrait is believed to be of Christopher Marlowe. It was discovered at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in 1953 and required extensive restoration work.
The age of the sitter and date of the portrait matches Marlowe, who was born in February 1564, and who attended the College between 1580 to 1587. The inscription reads ANNO DNI AETATIS SVAE 21 1585 - "Aged 21 in 1585".