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Wow, an actual argument from Mister Assertion himself, to wit: that the absence of records of payment to William Shakespeare of Stratford for writing mean he wasn't a professional writer. The problem with that, Joe, is that it would mean, for the same reason, that John Lyly, Thomas Lodge, Thomas Watson, Christopher Marlowe, Francis Beaumont, Thomas Kyd and Samuel Daniel were not professional writers, either. There is no record of payment for writing to any of them according to Diana Price. Many liars say they were nonetheless professional writers, though. Weird, isn't it.


--Bob G.



As you know but don't say above, the other writers you reference left behind other personal literary evidence confirming their profession. Knowing this, but not referencing it, could be regarded as intent to deceive: the withholding of exculpatory evidence, which would get you disbarred if you were a lawyer.

Thank God you're not.

Feste