1. William Shakespeare
Biography

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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”