On This Day In History: Great English Dramatist And Poet William Shakespeare, Was Probably Born – On Apr 23, 1564

AncientPages.com - The great English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare was probably born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-on-Avon.

Very little is known about his life, yet his literary legacy has influenced many worldwide.

Statue of Shakespeae (1872) in Central Park, New York, by John Quincy Adams Ward. Image credit: Ahodges7 - Public Domain

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the most excellent writer in the English language and the world's most famous dramatist.

Since William Shakespeare lived more than 400 years ago, many records from that time are lost or never existed in the first place.

He was baptized in Stratford-upon-Avon, 100 miles northwest of London, on April 26, 1564. But we don't know his birthdate, which must have been a few days earlier.

He left for London in the 1580s, where he became an actor, poet, and playwright, undoubtedly the greatest poet and playwright in the English language, although little is known of his acting skills.

Shakespeare's birthplace. Credits: www.shakespeare.org.uk

His life revolved around two locations: Stratford and London. He grew up, had a family, and bought a property in Stratford, but he worked in London, the center of English theater. As an actor, a playwright, and a partner in a leading acting company, he became prosperous and well-known.

His plays and sonnets are considered some of the most beautifully written verses in the English language. They include Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Macbeth, Midsummer Night's Dream, Two Gentlemen from Veronica, Twelfth Night, and Richard III.

Shakespeare wrote over 38 plays and 154 sonnets during his lifetime, and he became particularly famous for his portrayal of English kings.

William Shakespeare allegedly died on his birthday, April 23, 1616.

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