Magic moments

A young Shakespeare scholar inspired by the Ransom Center wants to spark others’ sense of wonder.

Five years ago, I was a high school student from Virginia visiting The University of Texas at Austin, trying to decide where I would attend college.

I had the privilege of visiting the Ransom Center. In the Reading Room I viewed three copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio. As a passionate Shakespeare lover since the age of seven, getting up close with these vitally important tomes almost moved me to tears. I was blown away that students could do research with such a rich collection. The Ransom Center sealed the deal for me. Without it, I may not have chosen to come to this university.

My classes were enriched by visits to look at materials relating to our studies. Research papers benefitted from getting my hands on materials in the Reading Room. My capstone thesis and the play that I adapted to accompany it were influenced by my work with the same folios that first inspired me to attend college here.

Seeing these materials up close provides a richness of information and detail as well as a sense of touching history.

I’ve just started at King’s College London to pursue a master’s degree in Shakespeare Studies. It’s a great program in the heart of London that partners with Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. I hope to use what I’ve learned at Texas and the Ransom Center to devote my career to the study, sharing, and teaching of Shakespeare.