Search results
William Shakespeare ( c. 23 [a] April 1564 – 23 April 1616) [b] was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. [4] [5] [6] He is often called England's national poet and the " Bard of Avon " (or simply "the Bard").
- Overview
- Life
Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, eight years his senior, when he was 18. They had three children: Susanna and twins Judith and Hamnet. Hamnet died at the age of 11.
Read more below: Shakespeare the man: Life
How many plays did Shakespeare write?
There is some dispute about how many plays Shakespeare wrote. The general consensus is 37.
Read more below: Chronology of Shakespeare’s plays
First Folio
Although the amount of factual knowledge available about Shakespeare is surprisingly large for one of his station in life, many find it a little disappointing, for it is mostly gleaned from documents of an official character. Dates of baptisms, marriages, deaths, and burials; wills, conveyances, legal processes, and payments by the court—these are the dusty details. There are, however, many contemporary allusions to him as a writer, and these add a reasonable amount of flesh and blood to the biographical skeleton.
Britannica Quiz
Apr 2, 2024 · Poet and playwright William Shakespeare is considered the greatest dramatist of all time. Read about his birthday, wife, plays, poems, quotes, and more facts.
William Shakespeare, (baptized April 26, 1564, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, Eng.—died April 23, 1616, Stratford-upon-Avon), English poet and playwright, often considered the greatest writer in world literature.
Learn about the life and works of William Shakespeare, the most famous playwright of the English Renaissance. Explore his family, career, poems, plays, and legacy on this comprehensive website.
Oct 3, 2011 · Learn about the life and works of the greatest English-speaking writer in history, from his childhood in Stratford-upon-Avon to his legacy as England's national poet. Explore his plays, poems, sonnets, theater and language innovations, as well as the mysteries and controversies surrounding his life.
Learn about the life and works of William Shakespeare, the most famous playwright and poet of the English Renaissance. Explore his nondramatic poetry, such as Venus and Adonis and Lucrece, and his influence on later literature.
