William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born, lived and lies buried in Stratford-upon-Avon.

William Shakespeare, 1564-1616

William Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. His father John was a glove maker who married Mary Arden, the daughter of a farmer from the nearby village of Wilmcote. John Shakespeare was also a wool dealer and an important figure in the town.

Shakespeare attended King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon. The classical writers he studied in the classroom had a big influence on his plays and poetry. Children still study at the school today.

At the age of 18 in November 1582 William married Anne Hathaway, the daughter of a local farmer. Her family home, now known as Anne Hathaway's Cottage, still stands in the village of Shottery, a mile from Stratford. Together they had three children, Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. William's family lived at his father's house in Henley Street, now known as Shakespeare's Birthplace. Shakespeare's son, Hamnet died aged 11 in 1596. In 1607 Shakespeare's daughter Susanna married John Hall a successful doctor, and lived together in Hall's Croft. His younger daughter, Judith, married Thomas Quiney in 1616.

Little is known about Shakespeare's early married life but when he moved to London in 1592 he began to make his name. In 1594 Shakespeare joined others in forming a new theatre company. He spent 25 of his 52 years living and working as a dramatist and actor in London, whilst maintaining his home and family in Stratford. He produced, on average, two plays a year. His early career in London coincided with the outbreak of the plague, which killed thousands of people and closed all the theatres in order to stop the disease spreading. During this time Shakespeare wrote some of his most popular poems, including his 154 sonnets.

In 1611 Shakespeare returned to Stratford to live with his family at New Place, said at the time to be the second finest house in Stratford.

He died on his birthday, 23 April 1616, aged 52. He is buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. His widow Anne died in 1623 and was buried beside him. Shakespeare's family line came to an end with the death of his grand-daughter Elizabeth in 1670.

In 1623, seven years after his death, the First Folio, the first collection of his plays, was published. It contains 36 plays, about half of which had been published individually in his lifetime.

The Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations

Every year, in April, Stratford-upon-Avon celebrates Shakespeare's birthday. From their origins in the eighteenth century, Stratford's Birthday Celebrations have developed into a unique international occasion bringing together people from many countries. They include a myriad of exciting and vibrant spectacles for adults and children alike. The focal point of the celebrations, on the Saturday, is a procession through the town and unfurling of flags involving hundreds of people in costume and traditional dress. The procession includes celebrities from the world of theatre and television, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, academics, local dignitaries and children.

During the weekend the Royal Shakespeare Company usually presents a host of events for all ages including such things as workshops with RSC directors and actors and a series of talks, discussions, demonstrations and backstage tours.

For further information on the Birthday Celebrations www.shakespeare.org.uk

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