The first Shakespeare Fellowship, originally devoted to the study of the Shakespeare authorship but endorsing no particular candidate, was founded in England in 1921 after conversations between J. Thomas Looney, the founder of Oxfordian theory, and Sir George Greenwood a prominent anti-Stratfordian who had never declared his support for any particular alternative author.
Leading supporters of the most prominent alternative candidates were made vice-presidents, including Looney, representing the Oxfordian position, the Baconian William T. Smedley, and the Derbyite Abel Lefranc.
[2] Percy Allen was elected in 1944 to replace Douglas, but he resigned after losing a vote of confidence when he declared his intention to use Spiritualist means to research the authorship question.
Oxfordian author and attorney Charlton Greenwood Ogburn provided legal assistance in incorporating the organisation.
"[5] The Fellowship publishes a quarterly journal, Shakespeare Matters, maintains an active website, and sponsors an annual essay contest on the Shakespearean question.