Sir Sidney Lee (1859-1926) was a prominent English biographer, editor, and literary critic. Educated at Oxford University, he dedicated his career to the study of Elizabethan literature and history. He is best known for his monumental work as the editor of the Dictionary of National Biography, a project that he took over from Leslie Stephen and which established his reputation as one of the foremost biographers of his time.
Lee’s meticulous attention to detail and his insistence on historical accuracy were the hallmarks of his work. His deep knowledge of the period made him the ideal person to write a scholarly biography of Shakespeare. While his interpretations sometimes reflected the views of his era, his work on Shakespeare remains a testament to his dedication to historical truth and his deep admiration for the Bard's literary genius.
