
Shakespeare’s legacy is as rich and diverse as his work his plays have spawned countless adaptations across multiple genres and cultures. It contained 36 of his plays, but none of his poetry. These writings were brought together in what is known as the First Folio ('Folio' refers to the size of the paper used).

They collected them for publication after Shakespeare died, preserving the plays. It is actually thanks to a group of actors from Shakespeare's company that we have about half of the plays at all.

No original manuscripts of Shakespeare's plays are known to exist today.

Shakespeare's career jump-started in London, but when did he go there? We know Shakespeare's twins were baptised in 1585, and that by 1592 his reputation was established in London, but the intervening years are considered a mystery. For an overview of William Shakespeare's life, see Shakespeare's Life: A Timeline.Their first daughter, Susanna, was born six months after the wedding and was later followed by twins Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died when he was just 11 years old. It was a rushed marriage because Anne was already pregnant at the time of the ceremony. When he was eighteen, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was twenty-six. William Shakespeare would have lived with his family in their house on Henley Street until he turned eighteen. His elevated status meant that he was even more likely to have sent his children, including William, to the local grammar school. John Shakespeare worked as a glove-maker, but he also became an important figure in the town of Stratford by fulfilling civic positions. John and Mary lost two daughters as infants, so William became their eldest child. John Shakespeare married Mary Arden, and together they had eight children.

Records survive relating to William Shakespeare’s family that offer an understanding of the context of Shakespeare's early life and the lives of his family members. Shakespeare’s poems also remain popular to this day. Shakespeare’s plays are perhaps his most enduring legacy, but they are not all he wrote. Shakespeare was a prolific writer during the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages of British theatre (sometimes called the English Renaissance or the Early Modern Period). His birthday is most commonly celebrated on 23 April (see When was Shakespeare born), which is also believed to be the date he died in 1616. William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Information to help you plan your visit to Shakespeare's family homes Prices, booking, opening times and more to help you get organisedĮnjoy seasonal activities and special events throughout the year Walk in Shakespeare's footsteps at Shakespeare's New Place Relive Shakespeare's love story at Anne Hathaway's Cottage Visit William Shakespeare's Birthplace and explore his childhood world, right where it all began.
