Nicholas Rowe’s (1674-1718) edition of Shakespeare’s works was the first to include illustrations, to be published as a set of six small, portable volumes and to contain a biography of Shakespeare. Rowe saw the plays as performances rather than reading material. He added character lists and increased the stage directions. He was also the first named editor to oversee the publication process.

Image credit 

'The Works of William Shakespeare'

Nicholas Rowe

Engravings by Francois Boitard

1709

Printed for Jacob Tonson, London