Shakespeare was first born here, in Stratford-upon-Avon during the year 1564, to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. His exact birthday isn’t known, but scholars tend to place it on April 23rd. Unfortunately, very little is known about Shakespeare’s early days, as we jump to age 18 where he marries Anne Hathaway. The two would have many children following, but little else happens until Shakespeare becomes known in the London Theatre scene in 1592.
He had been writing plays for some time, but starting in 1594, he joined the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as the King’s Men, who became the exclusive performers of his plays. This is the time period in which he wrote plays such as Midsummer Night’s Dream, Julius Caesar, and Romeo and Juliet, along with a host of other less known plays. In 1599, Shakespeare and his fellow actors began work on the famed Globe theater along the River Thames. This, along with other investments by Shakespeare had turned him into something of a rich man.
Following this, Shakespeare would write some of his best tragedies, such as Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. All throughout his time on stage, it is believed that Shakespeare was writing poetry, sonnets specifically. In total, Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets alongside his 39 plays. It is believed Shakespeare retired to Stratford sometime after 1608, making only occasional visits to London. It is there that Shakespeare would mysteriously die, on April 23rd, 1616, at age 52. Thus, this marks the end of Shakespeare’s tale. After his death, Shakespeare would become one of the most influential English writers of all time and his plays have been translated into every major living language.