Sidney Lee
- Born:
- 5 December 1859, London, England
- Died:
- 3 March 1926, London, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Biographer, Literary Scholar
Early Life and Education
- Born Solomon Lazarus Lee in London.
- Educated at the City of London School.
- Attended Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with a degree in Modern History.
Career and Major Achievements
- Assistant Editor of the Dictionary of National Biography (DNB) from 1883.
- Joint Editor of the DNB from 1891 to 1901.
- Editor of the DNB from 1901 to 1917.
- Knighted in 1911 for his services to literature.
- Lecturer on English Literature at various universities.
Notable Works
- Edited numerous volumes of the Dictionary of National Biography.
- Authored significant biographical works, including the acclaimed biography which became known as a life of william shakespeare sidney lee.
- Published critical essays on Elizabethan literature.
A Life of William Shakespeare (and related works)
- A Life of William Shakespeare, published in 1898, became a seminal work on the playwright.
- Revised and expanded editions of A Life of William Shakespeare were published throughout his career.
- Published a student's edition of A Life of William Shakespeare.
- Edited the Oxford facsimile edition of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays.
Legacy and Impact
Sidney Lee's meticulous scholarship and comprehensive biographical work, particularly his A Life of William Shakespeare and his editorship of the Dictionary of National Biography, cemented his position as a leading figure in literary scholarship and biographical writing. His contributions provided a foundation for future generations of Shakespearean scholars and biographers.