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We don't know exactly when Shakespeare was born, because records were kept differently in those days. Based on traditional customs, though, we can guess that he was born three days before his baptism, which took place April 26, 1564. This house is Shakespeare's birthplace and is a typical Tudor house. Click here for a map of the United Kingdom and Stratford-Upon Avon.
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Shakespeare would have started learning to read either at home or in a very small school before moving on to a bigger school called a grammar school. He would have studied Greek and Latin extensively, and would have been required to memorize and translate both languages. He also would have learned English history and read the Bible.
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When Shakespeare was 18, he met a 26-year old woman named Anne Hathaway. Very little is known about their marriage, but Anne did ask to be buried next to her husband when she died.
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Shakespeare's first child, Susanna, was born in 1583. She and her siblings were raised in Stratford by their mother.
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Hamnet, Shakespeare's only son, died when he was 11.
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These are called the "Lost Years" because very little is known about Shakespare during this time period. At the end of the Lost Years, we know that Shakespeare was writing plays in London.
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We know that by 1592, Shakespeare was living in London. Although his family was still living in Stratford (and never joined him in London), Shakespeare continued to support them financially and came back to Stratford later in his life.
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The plague, which was a highly contagious, deadly disease, swept through London during this time period. Because people stood so close to one another at the theatres, the theatres had to close to prevent the disease from spreading. Since the theatres weren't open, Shakespeare shifted his attention from writing plays to writing poetry. (Image from http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre)
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Shakespeare became one of the founding members of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, an acting company (group of actors) which sometimes performed for Queen Elizabeth I. This is a famous portrait of Queen Elizabeth, who ruled England during Shakespeare's life. They got their name from their patron (the person who sponsored them), who was in charge of entertainment for Queen Elizabeth's court. Shakespeare not only wrote plays for the company, but also acted!
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The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet was first performed in 1596. It was very popular even in Shakespeare's time. The play was based on an even older Italian story that had been translated into English by Sir Arthur Brooks. Shakespeare added to the story and developed new characters.
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The Globe Theatre was a very large, open-air theatre in London. Although it eventually burned down, a replica has been built near the original site. Shakespeare's plays were not all performed at the Globe, but many of his later plays were.
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Shakespeare became very wealthy because of his sonnets, play performances, and other business ventures. He built a home called "New Place" in Stratford for himself and his family, and he retired there in 1613, when he was 49. "New Place" no longer exists, because it was demolished in the 1700s; however, it was the second largest house in Stratford during Shakespeare's time!
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According to his grave marker, Shakespeare died on his 52nd birthday. His wife and his two daughters survived him. This is a picture of his grave in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
