Person of the Day
APR 23
William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564 – April 23, 1616) is often named the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. His extant works consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets and additional poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and have been performed more often than any other playwright. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England in 1564, the third of eight children to a prominent businessman and official. At 18 he married Anne Hathaway, probably in some hurry, their first child a daughter Susanna was born 6 months later. It wasn't until 1592 that Shakespeare is recorded established in London as a founder member of the theatre company The Lord Chamberlain's Men. From the 1603 the company came under the patronage of King James I as The King's Men with the Globe as their theatre, which they had constructed in 1599. It is during this time that Shakespeare wrote his most famous plays, tragedies such as “Macbeth" and "King Lear" and comedies and romances including "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Romeo and Juliet". After Shakespeare's death in 1616 two of his fellow players published a collection of 36 of his plays in 1623 in the "First Folio" preserving Shakespeare's works and ensuring his legacy. Note, Shakespeare was baptized on April 26 and this is traditionally regarded as his birthdate, although the exact date is uncertain.
William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564 – April 23, 1616) is often named the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. His extant works consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets and additional poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and have been performed more often than any other playwright. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England in 1564, the third of eight children to a prominent businessman and official. At 18 he married Anne Hathaway, probably in some hurry, their first child a daughter Susanna was born 6 months later. It wasn't until 1592 that Shakespeare is recorded established in London as a founder member of the theatre company The Lord Chamberlain's Men. From the 1603 the company came under the patronage of King James I as The King's Men with the Globe as their theatre, which they had constructed in 1599. It is during this time that Shakespeare wrote his most famous plays, tragedies such as “Macbeth" and "King Lear" and comedies and romances including "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Romeo and Juliet". After Shakespeare's death in 1616 two of his fellow players published a collection of 36 of his plays in 1623 in the "First Folio" preserving Shakespeare's works and ensuring his legacy. Note, Shakespeare was baptized on April 26 and this is traditionally regarded as his birthdate, although the exact date is uncertain.