William Shakespeare

  • 1564

    Birth of Shakespeare

    William Shakespeare was born April 1564, in Stratford-upon- Avon.
  • Apr 26, 1564

    Baptization of Shakespeare

    Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564.
  • 1582

    Marriage to Anne Hathaway

    Shakespeare married his 26 year old pregnant girlfriend when he was at the age of 18.
  • First Mention of Shakespeare in London

    In Greene’s Groatsworth of Wit, he mocked Shakespeare for being a mere ‘player’ trying to rise above his station and write verse. Shakespeare went on to fame and fortune as a writer. Greene is now only remembered for this pamphlet.
  • Romeo and Juliet

    A classic tragic romance about the forbidden love between two young people from feuding families.
  • A Midsummers Night's Dreams

    A popular romantic comedy involving lovers, fairies, and amateur actors in an enchanted forest.
  • Opening of Globe Theatre

    The Globe is the most famous landmark associated with Shakespeare. It was built out of old pieces of The Theatre – an earlier home of Shakespeare’s company.
  • Hamlet

    A revenge tragedy focusing on the prince of Denmark's quest for vengeance against his uncle for his father's murder.
  • Macbeth

    A powerful tragedy about ambition, witchcraft, and regicide, following a Scottish general who murders his way to the throne.
  • Globe Theatre Burns Down

    During a performance of Henry VIII, a canon misfired and set the thatched roof of the theatre alight. The entire building burned down very quickly, but fortunately there were no casualties.
  • Death of Shakespeare

    He died at the age of 52 on April 23, which was probably his birthday. He left a legacy of at least 37 plays, 154 sonnets, three poems, hundreds of neologisms, and an impact on art, culture and language that is unsurpassed.