Shakespeare's life

There are few facts known with certainty about William Shakespeare's life and death. The best-documented facts are that Shakespeare was baptised in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England, 26 April 1564, at age 18 married Anne Hathaway, had three children, and died on 23 April 1616 at the age of 53. William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, a small country town, the son of John Shakespeare, a successful glover and alderman from Sn... more

There are few facts known with certainty about William Shakespeare's life and death. The best-documented facts are that Shakespeare was baptised in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England, 26 April 1564, at age 18 married Anne Hathaway, had three children, and died on 23 April 1616 at the age of 53. William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, a small country town, the son of John Shakespeare, a successful glover and alderman from Snitterfield, and of Mary Arden, a daughter of the gentry. They lived on Henley Street, having married around 1557. The date of his birth is not known, but his baptismal record was dated 26th of April 1564. This is the first official record of Shakespeare, as birth certificates were not issued in the time of Queen Elizabeth. Because baptisms were normally performed within a few days of birth it is highly likely Shakespeare was born in April 1564, although the long-standing tradition that he was born on 23rd of April has no historical basis ... less