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William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. His exact birth date isn't known, but it's traditionally celebrated on April 23, 1564. He was the third of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a glove maker and alderman, and Mary Arden. His early life would have included schooling at the King's New School in Stratford, where he would've studied Latin and classical literature. -
At age 18, Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway, who is 26. Their marriage license was issued on November 27, 1582. Their first daughter, Susanna, was born six months later in May 1583. They would go on to have twins, Hamnet and Judith, in 1585. -
From 1585 to 1592, historical records of Shakespeare's life are scarce. This period is known as the "lost years," during which he likely moved to London and began his career as an actor and playwright. -
Shakespeare's presence in London's theatrical world is confirmed in 1592 when rival playwright Robert Greene refers to him as an "upstart crow" in a pamphlet. This is the first known mention of Shakespeare as a playwright and suggests he was already a notable figure in the London theater scene, despite Greene's criticism. -
In 1594, Shakespeare became a founding member and shareholder of a new acting company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men. This company would become one of the most successful in London. -
The Lord Chamberlain's Men constructed the Globe Theatre on the south bank of the River Thames in 1599. It became the primary venue for many of Shakespeare's most famous plays. -
Between 1600 and 1606, Shakespeare wrote some of his most famous tragedies, including Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. These plays are considered masterpieces of English literature. -
While many of his plays were published during his lifetime, Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets was published in a quarto edition in 1609. These poems reveal a deeply personal side of his work, exploring themes of love, beauty, time, and mortality. -
Shakespeare’s final solo play, The Tempest (1610–1611), is a tale of magic, forgiveness, and new beginnings, often seen as his farewell to the stage. After completing this play, he retired from active writing and theater life, returning to his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, where he lived a quieter life with his family and enjoyed his later years. -
Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52, and was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. -
Seven years after his death, two of Shakespeare's fellow actors, John Heminges and Henry Condell, compiled and published the First Folio in 1623. This collection of 36 of his plays is a crucial document, as it's the primary source for the text of many of his works, including Macbeth and The Tempest, which might have been lost otherwise.