Author Biography and Introduction

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon near London in 1564 to an economically well-to-do household. His mother had inherited money from her father, and his father was a businessman. Not much is known through records about his education, but his involvement with theater circles through writing and acting is well known. He married Anne Hathaway, who was older than him, and they had three children together. They lost their son when he was only eleven years old.

A playwright, poet, and actor, Shakespeare is known for having coined new words and terms in his works. Often absent from his domestic life, Shakespeare’s works were not only popular but also appreciated by contemporaries and critics. He wrote around thirty-eight plays, including comedies and tragedies. His company built The Globe theater. He died in 1616 and bequeathed most of his wealth to his oldest daughter, Susanna. He is one of the most well-known and inventive writers of all times.