William Shakespeare was the most influential playwright of the English Renaissance. He was born in 1564 in the market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. The son of a successful middle-class glove-maker, Shakespeare attended the local grammar school, now know as 'King Edward School'. In 1582 he married Anne Hathaway, and they had three children. Around 1590 he left his family to live and work in London as an actor and a playwright.

Eventually Shakespeare became the most popular playwright in England. During his long and distinguished career he came to gain the respect and admiration of both Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) and King James I (1603-1625). In fact King James granted Shakespeare's company the status of king's players - indeed a great honour.

Shakespeare retired to Stratford a successful man He died in 1616 at the age of fifty-two.