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Historical Figure

William Shakespeare

Writers and Artists

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's foremost dramatist. Born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, he worked for most of his career in London with the theatrical company known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later the King's Men. His surviving work comprises about 39 plays, 154 sonnets and several long narrative poems, spanning tragedies such as Hamlet and King Lear, comedies, and history plays on English kings. His plays have been translated into every major living language and remain the most performed of any playwright, continuing to shape the English language and Western drama centuries after his death.

Facts
Birth Year
1564 1
Death Year
1616 1
Role
Playwright, poet, and actor 1
Death Date
1616-04-23 1
Birthplace
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England 1
Disputed
Birth Date
1564-04-23 1
Traditional date only; his actual birth date is unrecorded. The cited source gives only his baptism date, 26 April 1564, and notes 23 April as a traditional inference tied to that baptism and to Saint George's Day.
Classification
Gender
Male 1
Role
Role (category)
Writer / Scholar 1
Connections

Associated With

Cleopatra VII, Historical Figures
Julius Caesar, Historical Figures
King John of England, Historical Figures
The Elizabethan Era, Eras

In Era

The Early Modern Period, Eras
Source Wikipedia: William Shakespeare
In the Other Atlases

Originated In

England

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Sources
1. Wikipedia: William Shakespeare
Wikipedia
  • Lead paragraph, sentence 1
    William Shakespeare (c. 23 April 1564-23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor.
  • Early life section, birth and baptism sentence
    He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he was baptised on 26 April 1564. His date of birth is unknown but is traditionally observed on 23 April, Saint George's Day.
  • Lead paragraph, sentence 1 (year)
    William Shakespeare (c. 23 April 1564-23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor.
  • Second paragraph, first sentence
    Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.
  • William Shakespeare: Gender
    Born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, he worked for most of his career in London with the theatrical company known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later the King's Men.
  • In Era: The Early Modern Period, lead paragraph, lifespan
    Infobox: born circa 23 April 1564; died 1616-04-23
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