William Shakespeare

Author

Born: 04 April 1564, Died: 04 April 1616

Biography

William Shakespeare, born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets in the English language. The son of a glove-maker, John Shakespeare, and Mary Arden, William received a grammar school education where he likely studied Latin and classic literature. Around 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith.

By the late 1580s, Shakespeare had moved to London, where he began a successful career as an actor, playwright, and part-owner of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. His body of work includes 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems. His plays, such as "Hamlet," "Othello," "King Lear," and "Macbeth," remain timeless, renowned for their complex characters, intricate plots, and profound themes.

Shakespeare's influence on the English language persists, as he coined numerous words and phrases still in use today. He retired to Stratford around 1613 and died on April 23, 1616. His legacy endures, with his works continuing to be celebrated and studied across the globe.

Works