William Shakespeare Biography

Shakespeare Most famous writer in the world, but left no journals and letters All we know about Shakespeare comes from church and legal documents Baptismal Registration Marriage License

Shakespeare Born April 25, 1564 in Stratford (100 miles from London) 3rd of 8 children Father John was a shopkeeper and also served as mayor of the town Attended grammar school but has no record of higher education

Shakespeare Married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18 Hathaway was already 3 months pregnant at the time Had three children including one set of twins After the birth of his twins he moved to London Years from here until he started acting no one knows what he did they are called the Lost Years

Shakespeare Began acting in 1592 Started with the Lord Chamberlin’s Men (later became the King’s Men) These companies depended on the money from wealthy patrons so he essentially worked for King James Later became the writer for this group

Shakespeare With this group he wrote his four great tragedies: Othello, Macbeth, Hamlet, and Romeo and Juliet Also wrote sonnets and comedies Died on April 23, 1616 at the age of 52 Buried under the stone floor of the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford

Interesting Facts Shakespeare’s whole family was illiterate Some people believe that Shakespeare did not even write all of his plays; some think they were all written by Chris Marlowe No one knows what he looked like, no painting was done of him while he was alive All of his grandchildren died so he has no descendants The only mention he makes of his wife in his will is leave her his “second best bed”