William Shakespeare is arguably the most famous writer of the English language, known for both his plays and sonnets. Though much about his life remains open to speculation due to incomplete evidence, the following biography consolidates the most widely-accepted facts of his life and career.
Born in the idyllic town of Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare was the third child of the former Mary Arden and John Shakespeare, a successful tradesman and local politician. His birth is unregistered, but legend pins it on April 23, 1564, possibly because it is known that April 23 is the day on which he died 52 years later. Little is known about Shakespeare's childhood, although it is generally...
