The Deutsche Shakespeare-Gesellschaft (German Shakespeare Society) was founded on 23 April 1864 on the occassion of Shakespeare's 300th birthday. It is one of the world's oldest and most renowned literary associations. Its original goal - the promotion of Shakespeare in the German-speaking areas - is today still pursued with vigour. In order to achieve this goal, the Deutsche Shakespeare-Gesellschaft edits the Shakespeare-Jahrbuch, supports German editions of Shakespeare's works, and holds annual conferences of international repute, the famous "Shakespeare-Tage".

As a result of the division of Germany, the Deutsche Shakespeare-Gesellschaft divided itself into two branches in 1963. For thirty years there were a Western and an Eastern "Deutsche Shakespeare-Gesellschaft", each with its own yearbook and conferences. The societies' offices were situated in Bochum and Weimar respectively.

In 1993, at the conference "Shakespeare-Tage" held in Weimar, the two German Shakespeare societies re-united after careful preparation. A new board was elected. The new Deutsche Shakespeare-Gesellschaft has about 2,500 members. The average age of its members is 40 years.