William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, on the 23d of April in 1564

John Shakespeare, William's father, was a successful Stratford businessman, in the glove-making and wool-dealing trades.
John Shakespeare married Mary Arden,a daughter of a landowner.

As the son of a prominent town official, Shakespeare was entitled to attend King Edward VI Grammar school in central Stratford. He learned Latin grammar and literature there.
Shakespeare did not attend university, which was not at all unusual for the time.

At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582 at Temple Grafton, near Stratford. Hathaway, who was 26, was eight years his senior.

William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway had three children
Their first daughter, Susanna was born on 26 May 1583.
Two years later twins followed Hamnet and Judith, baptized on 2 February 1585.
William’s only son Hamnet died aged only 11.

William Shakespeare left his home, his family, his wife and children in Stratford-upon-Avon to work in London

Shakespeare – an actor
It is not known exactly how many roles Shakespeare played himself but he had began his career on the stage by 1592
By 1594 he had a reputation of being an actor, had written many plays, and became principal playwright of Lord Chamberlain’s men.
In 1599 he became a part owner of the Globe Theatre, and in 1608 of the Blackfriars Theatre.

The Globe Theater
Entrance of The Globe Theater Top view of Shakespeare's Globe Theater

New Globe Theaters
Re built Globe Theater in Thames English. Built on September 19, 1999.

Shakespeare died on his 52nd birthday on April 23, 1616 in Stratford and was buried in the chancel of the Church Of Holy Trinity
Shakespeare's tomb in the church at Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare’s tomb, is covered by a stone inscribed with a curse
Good friend for Jesus sake forbear
To dig the dust enclosed here!
Blest be the man that spares these stones,
And curst be he that moves my bones.

The Sonnets of William Shakespeare
Sonnets are fourteen-line lyrical poems
His collection of Sonnets were published in a book called "a Book called Shakespeare's sonnettes".
The Sonnets appeared, without Shakespeare's permission, in 1609
Thomas Thorpe was granted a license to publish "a Booke called Shakespeare's sonnettes" and this entry is in the Stationer's Register

Shakespeare’s works
wrote 37 plays
about 154 sonnets

Shakespeare wrote:
Comedies
Histories
Tragedies