Shakespeare, William

1564

1616

William Shakespeare was baptised in Holy Trinity Church at Stratford-upon-Avon on 26 April 1564, but his birthday is traditionally said to have occurred on 23 April. He was the son of John Shakespeare, a burgess of Stratford, and his wife Mary Arden, of Wilmcote, Warwickshire. Shakespeare became the greatest dramatist and poet in the English language. Most of his plays were first acted at the Globe Theatre on the Bankside, London, where Shakespeare was also an actor and partner in the management. After retiring to live at ‘New Place’ in Stratford, he died on 23 April 1616 and was buried in Holy Trinity Church. The first folio of his collected plays was published by some fellow actors in 1623 and is now one of the most valuable books in the language. His 36 (or 37) plays have been translated and produced throughout the world, and today he remains the most widely known and produced dramatist. By his wife Anne Hathaway (d. 1623) he had three children: Susanna, baptised on 26 May 1583, and twins Hamnet and Judith, baptised on 2 February 1585.