William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English actor, poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon”. His extant works, consist of 154 precious and incomparable sonnets, and 38 plays, at least 15 of which are masterpieces. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare was born and brought up in Stratfordupon-Avon.

   At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, 26, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins, Hamnet and Judith. Between 1585 and 1592, he began his versatile successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as the King’s Men. He appears to have retired to....