This could also make a good April hoax, kicking Shakespeare from his pedestal. But it's now all over the Internet and the university lecturer authoring the study exists.

Study shows Shakespeare as ruthless businessman

LONDON -- Hoarder, moneylender, tax dodger — it's not how we usually think of William Shakespeare.

But we should, according to a group of academics who say the Bard was a ruthless businessman who grew wealthy dealing in grain during a time of famine.

Researchers from Aberystwyth University in Wales argue that we can't fully understand Shakespeare unless we study his often-overlooked business savvy.

"Shakespeare the grain-hoarder has been redacted from history so that Shakespeare the creative genius could be born," the researchers say in a paper due to be delivered at the Hay literary festival in Wales in May.

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http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-n...nessman-275409