It was April 23, 1564, in the modest market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, England, when William Shakespeare entered the world — a child destined to become the greatest writer in the English language. Parish registers document that his baptism took place three days later at Holy Trinity Church, as was the Elizabethan English tradition of christening newborns shortly after birth, though records from the era are scarce.

The son of a glove-maker and local official, young William grew up in the modest market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, where he attended the grammar school and absorbed a classical education rooted in Latin and literature. By his late 20s, Shakespeare had planted himself firmly within London's thriving theatrical community, working as both an actor and playwright. His early efforts — among them Henry VI and The Comedy of Errors — showcased initial talent, setting the stage for the timeless masterpieces that followed: Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet.

Under Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare's career reached its most tremendous success, continuing to flourish into King James I's reign. He served as part of the governing board, which became the King's Men after the initial team merged with the Lord Chamberlain's Men. Together, they helped establish London's Globe Theatre in 1599 — a venue where groundlings paid a penny to stand in the open yard and nobility watched from covered galleries, all equally spellbound by his:

  • 38 groundbreaking plays spanning comedies, tragedies, and histories
  • 154 profound sonnets that redefined love poetry
  • 5 major narrative poems, including Venus and Adonis

When Shakespeare died in 1616, his unparalleled influence on the world hardly diminished — and four centuries later, it continues to resonate. His plays have been performed more often than those of any other playwright, with his dramatic works translated into every major language. Shakespeare also left an indelible mark on everyday speech, coining many popular modern expressions we still use today, such as "wild goose chase," "break the ice," and "all that glitters is not gold."