William Shakespeare

1564–1616 · English playwright, poet and actor, author of Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language.

Writers & Poets Renaissance Early Modern

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, in 1564, the son of John Shakespeare, a glove-maker and town alderman, and Mary Arden. At eighteen he married Anne Hathaway, and they had three children: Susanna and the twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592 he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer and part-owner of a playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, which became the King's Men after James I came to the throne. In 1599 members of the company built their own theatre on the south bank of the River Thames, the Globe. Shakespeare's surviving works, including collaborations, number about 39 plays, 154 sonnets and three long narrative poems. They include comedies such as A Midsummer Night's Dream, histories, and tragedies such as Hamlet, King Lear and Macbeth. His success made him wealthy, and in 1597 he bought New Place, the second-largest house in Stratford. He died in 1616 and was buried in Holy Trinity Church. In 1623 two fellow actors published the First Folio, a collected edition of 36 of his plays.

William Shakespeare is also an author in the library: author page and works.

Faith: A confirmed member of the Church of England; his private religious views are debated. Source: Wikipedia

Key dates

1564 Born in Stratford-upon-Avon
1582 Marries Anne Hathaway
1599 The Globe theatre is built
1616 Dies in Stratford
1623 First Folio published

See where they lived

Official museums and historic homes we don’t run. Follow each site’s link for learning resources and current visiting information.

Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust cares for his birthplace and family houses there, and it offers school visits and workshops.
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust — school visits

Watch

Biography William Shakespeare - Playwright | Mini Bio | BIO. Biography. Watch on YouTube
Biography William Shakespeare: Legendary Wordsmith - Fast Facts | History. HISTORY. Watch on YouTube