Memoirs of the Shakespear’s-Head in Covent Garden

In which are introduced many entertaining adventures, and several remarkable characters
The Ghost of Shakespeare
London: Printed for, and sold by, F. Noble, at his Circulating Library in King-Street, Covent-Garden, and J. Noble, at his Circulating Library in St. Martin’s-Court, near Leicester-Square, 1755

This early portrayal uses the ghost of Shakespeare as a guide for a series of amusing scenes and character sketches. The premise, however, is that Shakespeare is in some kind of purgatory for youthful crimes and indiscretions. As punishment, he has been wandering this earth “for two hundred and sixty moons past,” observing what fools these mortals be. –VH

Read the first chapter wherein Shakespeare’s ghost appears