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Don Foster: Master of Literary Forensics

Don Foster is a professor of English at Vassar College, but his true passion lies in literary forensics, the art of identifying anonymous authors by analyzing their writing style. Foster’s work has had a profound impact on our understanding of literature and history, helping to solve crimes and uncover historical mysteries.

Uncovering Shakespeare’s Secrets

One of Foster’s most famous cases involved the discovery of a neglected 1612 funeral elegy signed “W. S.” Using his expertise in writing style analysis, Foster demonstrated that the elegy was written by none other than William Shakespeare. This discovery not only shed new light on Shakespeare’s work but also provided valuable insights into his life and times.

Identifying the Author of “Primary Colors”

Foster’s skills were also put to the test when he was called upon to identify the anonymous author of the gossipy political best-seller “Primary Colors.” Using his computer to scan the writing samples of 35 potential authors, Foster focused on political journalist Joe Klein. Despite Klein’s initial denials, the evidence proved overwhelming, and he was eventually identified as the author.

Solving the Mystery of “The Night Before Christmas”

In another high-profile case, Foster proved that the beloved poem “The Night Before Christmas” was written by a bon vivant named Henry Livingston, not the straitlaced Bible teacher Clement Clarke Moore. This discovery challenged the traditional understanding of the poem’s authorship and sparked a new appreciation for Livingston’s literary talents.

Literary Forensics in Criminal Investigations

Foster’s work has also extended to criminal investigations. He has helped to identify suspects in high-profile cases such as the JonBenét Ramsey murder and the Olympics bombing at Centennial Park in Atlanta. In each case, Foster’s analysis of writing samples provided crucial evidence that led to the identification and apprehension of the perpetrators.

The Techniques of Literary Forensics

Foster’s success as a literary forensic expert is due to his mastery of a variety of techniques for analyzing writing style. These techniques include:

• Word choice: Identifying the unique words and phrases that an author uses.
• Punctuation: Analyzing the way an author uses punctuation marks, such as commas, periods, and semicolons.
• Spelling: Examining an author’s spelling patterns, including both common and uncommon words.
• Habitual phrasing: Identifying the specific phrases and constructions that an author uses repeatedly.
• Poetic devices: Analyzing the use of literary devices such as metaphors, similes, and alliteration.

By combining these techniques, Foster is able to create a unique profile of an author’s writing style. This profile can then be used to identify anonymous authors or to link different works to the same author.

The Impact of Literary Forensics

Foster’s work has had a profound impact on the fields of literature, history, and criminal justice. His techniques have helped to solve crimes, uncover historical mysteries, and shed new light on the works of famous authors. As a result, literary forensics has become an essential tool for scholars, investigators, and anyone interested in understanding the written word.

Don Foster’s Memoir

Foster’s recent memoir, “Author Unknown: On the Trail of Anonymous,” provides a lively and personal account of his career in literary forensics. The book offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of anonymous authorship and the challenges and triumphs of working as a literary forensic expert.