Die theatralische Bibliothek

theatralische Bibliothek, Die, a periodical published in four issues by G. E. Lessing in 1754 with the collaboration of his friend F. Nicolai. Lessing's contributions consist of translations with brief introductions and essays; they include Abhandlungen von dem weinerlichen oder rührenden Lustspiele, Leben des Herrn Jakob Thomson (based on contemporary English sources), excerpts from the Spanish play Virginia by A. de Montiano y Luyando (based on French versions and connected with the genesis of Emilia Galotti), and other essays on the Spanish, Italian, and English theatre (Dryden), as well as comments on Lessing's own play Die Juden. It is an early instance of Lessing's preoccupation with original sources.