- William Shakespeare
The birth date of William Shakespeare is not known but it is believed he was baptized on the 26th April 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon. He was the son of John and Mary Shakespeare he was the third child of eight and the eldest surviving son.
He is known and remembered for his phenomenal playwriting the most commonly known plays are Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth and Twelfth Night. He wrote 38 plays altogether and also wrote sonnets and poetry. Most biographers believe that he attended the ‘Kings New School’ in Stratford.
The plays we recognize today were written at around 1589 most of them were comedies or histories. Until 1608 he was known to write mainly tragedies. Although he is famous now his work was not really recognized as great until the 19th century.
From 1594 his plays were only acted out by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a company owned by a group of players including himself that soon became the most popular playing company in London. The company name was then changed to The Kings Men by the king after the death of queen Elizabeth in 1603.
In 1599 a group of people built a theatre on the river Thames south bank called the ‘Globe’ they also took over the Blackfriars indoor theatre. It is said that this build made Shakespeare quite a rich man due to his property purchases and investments.
He had a wife called Anne Hathaway and three children Susanna (1583 – 1649) and twins Hamnet (1585 – 1596) and Judith (1585 – 1662).
He died at the age of 52 at his home in Stratford.
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