In 1896 the Vassar-educated wife of this man wrote, “thousands of dollars may be paid for a copy of Shakespeare”

The Final Jeopardy! clue and answer for Monday, June 23, 2025, was in the category Collections.

The clue was:“In 1896 the Vassar-educated wife of this man wrote, ‘thousands of dollars may be paid for a copy of Shakespeare.'”

Who is Henry Clay Folger?

The Final Jeopardy clue for June 23, 2025, took contestants into the world of rare books and historical collections, spotlighting a quote from 1896 that hinted at the growing value of literary works. The quote came from Emily Jordan Folger, a Vassar-educated scholar and wife of industrialist Henry Clay Folger. Her observation about Shakespeare volumes fetching thousands of dollars revealed not just foresight, but also a shared vision that would shape one of the most significant literary collections in the world.

Emily and Henry Folger were passionate about William Shakespeare and dedicated much of their lives—and fortune—to collecting rare editions of his works. Emily’s education at Vassar College equipped her with the scholarly background to appreciate the literary and historical value of Shakespeare’s texts. Her remark in 1896 captured a turning point in the rare book market, where First Folios and other early printings were beginning to attract high prices and prestige among collectors.

The Folgers and the Making of a Monumental Collection

Henry Folger was an executive at Standard Oil and used his wealth to acquire Shakespearean works from around the world. With Emily as his intellectual partner, the couple amassed what would become the largest collection of Shakespeare materials in existence. Their shared passion was not merely a hobby; it was a carefully curated, lifelong pursuit with lasting academic and cultural significance.

The collection eventually became the foundation for the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., which opened in 1932, five years after Henry’s death. Emily played a central role in its creation and served as the first director of the library. Her deep involvement in the collection and its organization ensured that scholars and the public alike could benefit from the Folgers’ vision for centuries to come.

Shakespeare’s First Folio and Its Value

At the heart of the Folger collection are numerous copies of the First Folio, the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, published in 1623. Only about 235 copies of the First Folio are known to exist today, and the Folger Library owns 82 of them—more than any other institution or collector. Even in the 1890s, Emily Folger recognized the First Folio’s value as both a cultural artifact and a financial investment.

Her comment in 1896 about “thousands of dollars” being spent on Shakespeare editions has aged remarkably well. Today, First Folios routinely fetch millions of dollars at auction. Her early recognition of their potential value reflects both an astute collector’s eye and a deep respect for literary heritage.

Emily Jordan Folger: Scholar and Steward

Though Henry Folger often receives the public credit for building the Shakespeare collection, Emily was much more than a supporting figure. A published Shakespearean scholar herself, she helped catalog the volumes, annotated them, and even wrote essays and delivered lectures on the topic. Her work laid the groundwork for the collection’s educational mission.

After Henry’s death, Emily oversaw the final stages of building the Folger Shakespeare Library. She ensured that the materials they had collected were housed properly and made accessible to researchers and the public. Her early observations about book values were matched by her long-term commitment to scholarship and access.

A Final Jeopardy That Honors Cultural Legacy

This Final Jeopardy clue did more than test players’ historical recall—it drew attention to a major literary legacy shaped by partnership, vision, and education. Emily Folger’s 1896 remark, once a prediction, became reality as the world came to treasure Shakespeare’s legacy. Through their combined efforts, the Folgers preserved some of the most valuable literary works in history.

The answer to this clue—Who is Henry Folger—serves as a reminder of how personal passion, when paired with scholarly purpose, can result in a public good that lasts for generations. The Folger Shakespeare Library continues to honor that legacy, just as Jeopardy did by bringing it into the spotlight.