Capell

Capell, EDWARD, Shakespearian commentator, was born near Bury St Edmunds in 1713. He was educated at Bury and Catherine Hall, Cambridge, and in 1737 was appointed deputy-inspector of plays, in 1745 groom of the privy-chamber. His official duties allowed him ample time for his favourite studies, which resulted in 1768 in his edition of Shakespeare in ten volumes, the work of twenty years. In 1774 he published the first volume of his commentary, but this part was recalled, and the whole published in 1783, as Notes and Various Readings to Shakespeare (3 vols.). Capell lived a very secluded life at London and Hastings, and died early in 1781. The best portion of his fine library he bequeathed to Trinity College, Cambridge. He was an acute textual critic, though his abilities are spoken of with contempt by Farmer and Dr Johnson. Others again gave him the credit of many of the notes of Steevens.