Bacon cipher collection, 1893-1948.

Links

• View catalog record
• View PDF finding aid (142.32 KB)

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division

Extent

• 30 linear feet (30 boxes, 3 packages).

Access Restrictions

Restricted access; Manuscripts and Archives Division; Permit must be requested at the division indicated.

Scope/Contents Note

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 Baconcontroversy; and clippings. The Riverbank records containtranscriptions, clippings, legal documents, correspondence,student portfolios and lesson plans, publications, and reproductions used for these publications. Owen and Gallupmaterials include transcriptions along with lectures, articles and clippings. Also, slips for a concordance to Robert Burton's work, The Anatomy of Melancholy.

Biographical/Historical Note

The Bacon cipher theory was formulated by individuals who sought to translate codes alleged to exist in the writingsof 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.

Controlled Access Terms

• Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626.
• Burton, Robert, 1577-1640.
• Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Authorship -- Baconian theory.
• Cryptography.
• Ciphers.

Additional Creator Names

• Owen, Orville Ward, 1854-1924.
• Gallup, Elizabeth Wells, b. 1846.
• Fabyan, George, 1867-1936.
• Riverbank Laboratory.