William Shakespeare, son of a Stratford glovemaker (born 1564 – died 1616) English poet and playwright is regarded by scholars as the greatest ever writer in the English language and the world's most famous dramatist. Known as the "The Bard". Shakespeares known works consist of 38 plays and 155 sonnets. Shakespeares plays, translated into every major language, are performed more often than those of any other dramatist.

Shakespeare was born and spent his childhood in Stratford-upon-Avon. Aged 18, he married local girl Anne Hathaway, this early marriage is thought to be the reason for his many affairs. Annes family cottage in Cottage Lane, Shottery, Stratford upon Avon. Is open to the public and worth a visit.

William Shakespeare and Anne Shakespeare (nee Hathaway) had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamlet and Judith. Between 1585 and 1592, Shakespeare, rakish by nature and frustrated by small town Stratford upon Avon, moved to the Bohemian part of London now known as Southwark

Shakespeare began a career in Southwark, London as an actor, writer, and part owner of a playing company 'All the King's Men'. He may have returned to Stratford around 1613, but there is doubt.

Shakespeares work, inspired by many love affairs, peaked between 1590 and 1613. early plays were mainly comedies and histories, characterised by great sophistication and artistry.

By the end of the sixteenth century, around 1608 Shakespeares writings were mainly tragedies, Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, some of the finest dramas ever written, (the film version of Hamlet starring Mel Gibson is brilliant)'

William Shakespeare was a celebrated poet and playwright in his own day, but his reputation did not rise to its present heights until the nineteenth century. Victorians acclaimed Shakespeare a genius recognising his romance and craft with a reverence that George Bernard Shaw called "bardolatry".