William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon to John Shakespeare, a glove-maker and local official, and Mary Arden; he was baptized on April 26, 1564, with his birth traditionally dated to April 23. At age 18, he married Anne Hathaway in 1582, and they had three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith. Little is documented about the 'lost years' from 1585 to 1592, but by 1592, Shakespeare had established himself in London as an actor and playwright. In London, Shakespeare joined the Lord Chamberlain's Men in 1594 as an actor, playwright, and part-owner, becoming central to its success and producing plays at venues like the Globe Theatre. His early works focused on comedies and histories, followed by tragedies until around 1608. Shakespeare retired to Stratford around 1613 after the Globe burned down, investing in property and living prosperously until his death on April 23, 1616.