The term "Anti-Stratfordian" refers to individuals who question the authorship of the works attributed to William Shakespeare. They believe that someone other than Shakespeare, who was a playwright from Stratford-upon-Avon, wrote the plays and sonnets commonly associated with him. This perspective challenges the traditional view that Shakespeare was the sole author of these literary masterpieces. Anti-Stratfordians often propose alternative candidates, such as Francis Bacon, Edward de Vere, or Christopher Marlowe, suggesting that these figures had the education and background necessary to produce such complex works. The debate over Shakespeare's authorship has persisted for centuries, with various theories and arguments presented by both supporters and skeptics.