Bacon cipher collection

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Collection Data

Description: The Bacon cipher theory was formulated by individuals who sought to translate codes alleged to exist in the writings of Sir Francis Bacon. Two separate codes, the "Word Cipher" discovered by Orville W. Owen and the "Biliteral Cipher" discovered by Elizabeth W. Gallup, purport to contain secret messages revealing that Bacon was the son of an undisclosed marriage between Queen Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester. In addition, the deciphered messages state that Bacon was the author of works usually attributed to Shakespeare, Robert Burton, Marlowe, and others. George Fabyan, a Chicago businessman, purchased the rights to Owen's work, hired Mrs. Gallup, and established the Riverbank Laboratory in Geneva, Illinois in order to study the codes. Fabyan published studies of cryptography and sold guides to teach the public how to decipher Bacon's code. The bulk of the collection consists of transcriptions and notes used in deciphering the codes; publications by Owen, Gallup and the Riverbank Laboratory; articles on the Bacon controversy; and clippings. The Riverbank records contain transcriptions, clippings, legal documents, correspondence, student portfolios and lesson plans, publications, and reproductions used for these publications. Owen and Gallup materials include transcriptions along with lectures, articles and clippings. Also, slips for a concordance to Robert Burton's work, The Anatomy of Melancholy.
Dates / Origin: Date Created: 1893 - 1948
Library locations: Manuscripts and Archives Division; Shelf locator: MssCol 176
Topics: Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626; Burton, Robert, 1577-1640; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Authorship -- Baconian theory; Cryptography; Cipher
Genres: Records (Documents)
Notes: Biographical/historical: The Bacon cipher theory was formulated by individuals who sought to translate codes alleged to exist in the writings of Sir Francis Bacon. Two separate codes, the "Word Cipher" discovered by Orville W. Owen and the "Biliteral Cipher" discovered by Elizabeth W. Gallup, purport to contain secret messages revealing that Bacon was the son of an undisclosed marriage between Queen Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester. In addition, the deciphered messages state that Bacon was the author of works usually attributed to Shakespeare, Robert Burton, Marlowe, and others. George Fabyan, a Chicago businessman, purchased the rights to Owen's work, hired Mrs. Gallup, and established the Riverbank Laboratory in Geneva, Illinois in order to study the codes. Fabyan published studies of cryptography and sold guides to teach the public how to decipher Bacon's code.
Physical Description: Extent: 30 linear feet (30 boxes, 3 packages)
Type of Resource: Text; Still image
Identifiers: NYPL catalog ID (B-number): b11628269; MSS Unit ID: 176; Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 26ea1bb0-ee14-0138-2e4d-0242ac110003