Bibliography
William Shakespeare remains one of the most well-known actors, writers and poets
of all time. Born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare
was the third of eight children born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. His
father John was a leather and glover merchant while his mother Mary was a local
heiress. Three of William’s siblings died during childhood. The Shakespeare
family remained wealthy as John was a successful merchant, high bailiff and
alderman. However, in the late 1570’s, the family’s fortune declined as a result
of John's unpaid debts.
Shakespeare first attended a free grammar school in Stratford where he claimed
his knowledge of Classical Greek and Latin. As a Stratford official, Williams’s
father received a waiver for his son’s school tuition. William Shakespeare did
not go on to receive a university education however. This would later spark
controversy about the authorship of his writings.
On November 28, 1582, William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. At this period
of time, Anne was 26 years old while William was only 18. Shortly after they
were married, Anne gave birth to her and Williams first daughter, Susanna on May
26, 1583. Two years later, she bore twins, Judith and Hamnet, on February 2,
1585. Hamnet died of unknown causes on August 11, 1596 at the age of 11.
William disappeared from all historic records until his appearance in London
around 1588. This is when Shakespeare began to establish himself as a
professional playwright and actor. His talent shined and by 1594, he was writing
and acting for Lord Chamberlain’s Men and engaged in the business aspect as a
managing partner. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men became a London favorite, made
popular by the theatre public.
When studied against other playwrights of his day, William Shakespeare’s talent
made his company one of the most successful in London. He maintained ownership
in both the theatrical company and the Globe. According to London standards,
William was not considered “wealthy”, but did earn enough to purchase a home and
retire in Stratford in 1611.
William Shakespeare’s will was written in 1611. He left his properties to his
daughter Susanna, who was married to Dr. John Hall in 1607. William left £300 to
his other daughter Judith and to his wife Anne, his “second best bed”. William
Shakespeare allegedly died on April 23, 1616, on his birthday. On April 25,
1623, Shakespeare was interred at the Holy Trinity in Stratford. At the time of
his death, half of Williams plays remained unpublished. In 1623, shortly after
Shakespeare’s death, two companions from the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, Henry
Condell and John Heminges, printed the first edition of William Shakespeare’s
collection of plays known as the First Folio.
Complete List of Works
Plays: Comedies
Plays: Tragedies
Plays: Histories
Poems
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