Scant records exist of Shakespeare’s childhood and virtually none regarding his education. Anne died at age 7, and Joan was the only sibling to outlive William.

He had three younger brothers and two younger sisters: Gilbert, Joan, Anne, Richard, and Edmund. Their first two children-daughters Joan and Margaret-died in infancy, so William was the oldest surviving offspring.

John and Mary had eight children together, though three of them did not live past childhood. Eventually, he recovered somewhat and was granted a coat of arms in 1596, which made him and his sons official gentleman. However, records indicate John’s fortunes declined sometime in the late 1570s. John held official positions as alderman and bailiff, an office resembling a mayor. Shakespeare was the third child of John Shakespeare, a glove-maker and leather merchant, and Mary Arden, a local heiress to land. Located about 100 miles northwest of London, Stratford-upon-Avon was a bustling market town along the River Avon and bisected by a country road during Shakespeare’s time. From this, it is believed he was born on or near April 23, 1564, and this is the date scholars acknowledge as Shakespeare’s birthday. No birth records exist, but an old church record indicates that William Shakespeare was baptized at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. However, these provide only brief sketches of specific events in his life and yield little insight into the man himself. One is his work, and the other is official documentation such as church and court records. There are two primary sources that provide historians with an outline of his life. The personal life of William Shakespeare is somewhat of a mystery. Details about his personal life are limited, though some believe he was born and died on the same day, April 23, 52 years apart.īIRTHPLACE: Stratford-upon-Avon, England, United Kingdom Known throughout the world, Shakespeare’s works-at least 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 narrative poems-capture the range of human emotion and conflict and have been celebrated for more than 400 years. He was an important member of the King’s Men theatrical company from roughly 1594 onward. William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor of the Renaissance era. The King’s Men: Life as an Actor and Playwright.

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