In the 14th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica (1929) under the Spenser entry, J. C. Smith says: “The notion that E. K. is a mask for Spenser himself has been disproved by Dr. Herford.” Since 1895, when the late Dr. C. H. Herford published his edition of the Shepheardes Calender, a great many critics, as well as Professor Smith, have accepted as final Dr. Herford's conclusion that E.K., the so-called editor, is some one other than Spenser, and is probably Edward Kirke. In this paper I shall try to refute the arguments advanced by Dr. Herford and his followers, and to give supporting evidence for the affirmation in my title.