William Shakespeare is one of the most famous and renowned writers in the world, and not without reason. His great accomplishments, including writing 38 plays, 154 sonnets and 2 longer poems, have even prompted scholars to argue that he was not a real person, but in fact a syndicate. While this theory is still shrouded in mystery it does seem odd that one of the world's best literary brains was unable to write his own name neatly.

Despite the continuing debate on this subject there are certain known facts about the life of William Shakespeare, whether he was behind such masterpieces as Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream or not.

-Early life

Although Shakespeare's actual birth date is unknown it is commemorated on the 23rd of April and parish records show that he was baptised on the 26th of April 1564. His father was John Shakespeare, a glove maker in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, and his mother was Mary Arden, the daughter of a reasonably wealthy landowner. He had two older siblings and five younger. Very little documented evidence exists about his life up until 1582, but it is most likely that he attended a grammar school, perhaps the local one in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he would have received an education centred round Latin and the classics. When he was 18 years old he married Anne Hathaway, who was 8 years his senior. This marriage was rushed through, probably due to the imminent arrival of a baby, who was born six months after the wedding and was named Susanna. Shortly afterwards twins Hamnet and Judith were born but Hamnet died at age 11 in 1596. Another period occurs in Shakespeare's life at this point, about which very little, if anything, is known. These years have become commonly known as the 'lost years'.

-Career

The next time Shakespeare appears in records is in 1592, in an insulting review of him by fellow writer Robert Greene. It is unknown how long before this date he had begun writing but it is thought that at least a few of his plays had been staged by this time. Although Shakespeare is most famed for his writing he also acted with an acting troupe known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men, who were later renamed the King's Men. This company together built the Globe Theatre on the south bank of the Thames, although it has moved a few times up until now. He continued to write and act for several years until about 1613, after which no more plays are attributed to him. His last few works were collaborations with John Fletcher who became the resident playwright for the King's Men following Shakespeare's retirement.

-Family

Shakespeare is thought to have lived a sort of double life: his theatrical life and career centred round London, while his family lived in Stratford. He would travel between both places but stayed in London, away from his family, for long periods at a time. Using the money he made from the theatre company he bought New Place, the second largest house in Stratford, as his family home. His eldest daughter Susanna married a physician named John Hall who spent a few weeks with his father-in-law in London. Judith married one Thomas Quiney, a winemaker.

-Death

Interestingly, he died on the accepted anniversary of his birth, 23rd of April 1616. He was buried in the chancel of the Holy Trinity Church two days later. He left his estate to his eldest daughter who had only one daughter who died without children, thus ending Shakespeare's line.

There are many mysteries surrounding Shakespeare, his life and his work and interesting facts to be uncovered but this provided a brief chronology of the most important events in his life.

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