The printed Journal of the Francis Bacon Society 1886 – 1999
Baconiana is now for the first time available online: 249 individual journals. Each journal consists of a number of essays with an editorial. Over the years, the content has also included an index, new groundbreaking research, reports, reviews of books and Baconian meetings, obituaries, correspondence, Shakespeare parallels, newspaper articles, illustrations, diagrams and portraits.
As set out in the 1800’s the purpose of Baconiana was: to aid and promote the study of the life, character, genius and acknowledged writings of Francis Bacon and the investigation of his authorship of many unacknowledged Elizabethan and Jacobean works, including the immortal Shakespeare plays and poems. It was to be a repository of information, an instrument for discourse for contributors from all around the world, and a publication of general interest and one of great value to scholars.
Beginning in 1886, the founder of the Society Constance Mary Pott, author of Francis Bacon’s Secret Society and editor of Bacon’s personal notebook The Promus, wrote at least 59 articles under her own name and many more anonymously. Since that time, virtually non-stop with hardly a pause during two World Wars, whilst London was bombed, paper rationed and finances lean, Baconiana marched on. Roderick L. Eagle, a true Shakespearean scholar whose books include The Secrets of the Shakespeare Sonnets, contributed 100 articles over a 45-year period. During the latter years rising costs of printing and distribution led to the last printed journal being published in 1999 and a switch to online publication.
From the beginning, Baconians have been of one voice regarding Francis Bacon’s unfair critique by early historians, the brilliance of his wisdom and philosophy, and his involvement in the Shakespeare plays and poems. Other themes: The Royal Birth, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, Ciphers, Don Quixote Authorship and Bacon’s Feigned Death, have attracted differing responses and lively discussions. Editors have always honoured those first aims, adamant that Baconiana should be a welcome forum for all sincere and well-articulated ideas connected with the remarkable life and writings of Francis Bacon. On 8th November 2023 a special Baconiana was published online to commemorate the 400th year Anniversary of the Shakespeare First Folio exploring from many different perspectives Bacon’s involvement in its writing, production and publication. Special First Folio Edition
This year’s journal has over 30 contributions and a collection of many of the most recent books written about Francis Bacon, from the areas of science, law, philosophy, literature and politics. This is not necessarily a recommended reading list but a collection of all the latest research and thought (as well as some classics) on Francis Bacon.
Baconiana Volume 2, No. 2 November 8, 2025
Baconiana Volume 2, No. 1 November 8, 2024
Baconiana 2024 Visible Remains Supplement
