Shakespeare’s to be second person, first could be Francis Bacon (6)
I believe the answer is:
artist
'bacon' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for artist that I've seen before include "Old learned man" , "Skilful, imaginative, performer" , "Painter, sculptor etc" , "Rousseau perhaps" , "Painter, drawer" .)