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Chandos Portrait of Shakespeare |
William Shakespeare of Stratford (1564-1616) Birth- April 23, 1564 Death- April 23, 1616 |
Birth:
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William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564 at the Holy Trinity Church (left). He is traditionally said to be born on the 23rd of April in Stratford-upon-Avon (below).
(A map of Stratford: 'Shakespeare’s Stratford' by Dr Pat Hughes, 1994.) |
(The Holy Trinity Church of Stratford) |
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Education: As the son of a leading townsman, William almost certainly attended Stratford’s ‘petty’ or junior school before progressing, perhaps at the age of seven, to the King Edward VI Grammar School, which still stands. The grammar school’s curriculum was geared to teaching students Latin, both spoken and written. |
('Courtyard of King Edward VI Grammar School, Stratford-upon-Avon' by Fred Whitehead, c. 1900) |
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Career: Shakespeare's reputation as a writer was established in 1592, the same year he was called "an upstart crow" by another envious dramatist. Some of Shakespeare's earlier included the three parts of Henry VI, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Titus Andronicus.
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The "Lost Years": From 1585 to 1592 was known as the "Lost Years", a time period where no evidence concerning Shakespeare's life was found. It was said that he was found poaching in Charlecote Park, near Stratford, and went of to London to avoid prosecution. |
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| Family:
In November 1582 Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, the daughter of a local farmer Richard Hathaway. Shakespeare was 18 and Anne was 26 at the time of their marriage. Their first child, Susanna, was baptized on May 26, 1583. The twin, Hamnet and Judith, was born two years later.
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(Click on the picture to see Shakespeare's pedigree/family tree) |
| Death:
Shakespeare died on Aril 23, 1616 (that's right, he died on his birthday). He was buried at the Holy Trinity Church, where a statue was erected for him. On his grave was these words: 'Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To digg the dust encloased heare, Blest by the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones.' |
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