William Shakespeare's Timeline

Shakespeare's Born

Apr 23, 1564

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon to John and Mary Arden Shakespeare. He was baptized on 26th April 1564. William Shakespeare's family was properous paraents.

Shakespeare Goes to School

1569

Shakespeare enters King's New School, an excellent grammar school in Stratford attended by the sons of civil servants like his father. Shakespeare attended school and he learned to read, speak, and write Latin and he left school at age fifteen.

Shakesperare Marries

1582

In 1582, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. They had their first child Suzanna, 6 months later.

Twins Born

1585

In 1585, Anne Hathaway gives birth to twins, son Hamnet and daughter Judith. The babies are named after Shakespeare's close friends, Hamnet and Judith Sadler.

First Play

1592

In 1592, Playwright Robert Greene pens a scathing critique of Shakespeare, calling him an "upstart crow". Thanks to this diatribe, we now know that Shakespeare has become successful enough as a playwright by 1592 to make his peers jealous.

Theaters Closes

1593

London theaters are closed due to an outbreak of bubonic plague that eventually kills about five percent of the city's residents. Shakespeare uses the break to write poetry.

Venus and Adonis

1593

In April 1593, Shakespeare publishes "Venus and Adonis," his first long published poem. It is dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton.

Reopen

1594

In the spring of 1594, the London theaters reopen to the public. Over the next five years Shakespeare's troupe, the Chamberlain's Men, becomes one of the most popular acting groups in London. They accept frequent invitations to perform in the royal court of Queen Elizabeth I.

The Rape of Lucrece

1594

In 1594, Shakespeare publishes "The Rape of Lucrece," also dedicated to the Earl of Southampton. Shakespeare purchases shares in the Chamberlain's Men.

Death of Hamnet

Aug 11, 1596

William and Anne bury their only son, Hamnet, who dies at the age of 11 of unknown causes.

New Home

1597

Wealthy thanks to his theater work and shrewd investments, Shakespeare buys New Place, the second-largest house in Stratford.

Shakespeare Praised

1598

Writer Francis Meres publishes a glowing review of Shakespeare's work. Thanks to Meres' review, we know that by this time Shakespeare has become a noted playwright with at least a dozen plays under his belt, including Romeo and Juliet.

Globe Theater

1599

The Chamberlain's Men build the Globe, a wooden theater in London. Many of Shakespeare's most famous plays are performed for the first time here

Hamlet

1601

Shakespeare's father dies and his patron Earl Southampton is sentenced to death for his role in the Essex rebellion. It is believed that his father's death motivates Shakespeare to write Hamlet around this time. Shakespeare's plays over the next few years take a dark, brooding tone.

Elizabeth Dies, Jacobean Age Begins

Mar 24, 1603

Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I, King James ascends the throne. The Chamberlain's Men change their name to the King's Men, and perform before King James eleven times between 1 November 1604 and 31 October 1605.

Blackfriars Theater

1608

The King's Men begin performing at Blackfriars, an indoor theater in London. In contrast to the somber mood of the last seven years, Shakespeare's work takes on a lighter tone in plays like Cymbeline, The Winter's Tale, and The Tempest.

Back to Startford

1611

Shakespeare leaves London and moves back to Stratford, where his wife and married daughters live.

Last Will

Mar 25, 1616

An ailing Shakespeare calls his lawyer to revise his will, making some odd changes that include leaving his "second-best bed" to his wife and £10 to the poor.

Shakespeare Dies

Apr 23, 1616

Sufferning from an unknown illness, William Shakespeare dies on his 52nd birthday.

Burial

Apr 25, 1616

Shakespeare is buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford, the same church where he was baptized. His marker orders a curse on anyone who disturbs his grave.

First Folio Published

1623

John Heminge and Henry Condell, Shakespeare's former colleagues in the King's Men, collect 36 of their late friend's plays and publish them together in a volume now known as the First Folio.