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Apr 23, 1564
Early Life
William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. -
Apr 26, 1564
Getting Baptized
William Shakespeare is baptized at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. -
1569
Getting An Education
Shakespeare enters King's New School, a grammar school in Stratford attended by the sons of civil servants like his father. Unfortunately, not much more is known about his early education. -
Finding Love
On Nov 28, 1582, William Shakespeare gets married to Ann Hathaway at the age of 18 and her at 26 years old. -
A Child is Born
Six months after getting married, Shakespeare's first child, Susanna, is born and baptized. -
Having Twins
Anne Hathaway gives birth to twins, named Hamnet, Judith. The babies were named after Shakespeare's close friends, Hamnet and Judith Sadler. -
The First Play
Around 1590, Shakespeare writes Henry VI, Part One, which is his very first play. Around the same time, Shakespeare leaves Stratford to begin work as a playwright and actor in London. -
Attacked by Critics
A playwright named Robert Greene writes a scathing critique of Shakespeare, in which he calls him an "upstart crow" who doesn't belong with Greene's university-educated dramatist crowd. -
The Release of "Venus and Adonis"
Shakespeare publishes "Venus and Adonis," his first long published poem, and it was dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothesley. -
Devastated by Plagues
London theaters become closed due to an outbreak of a bubonic plague that eventually kills a large amount of the city's residents, and Shakespeare uses the break to write poetry. -
"The Rape of Lucrece"
Shakespeare publishes "The Rape of Lucrece," which is also dedicated to the Earl of Southampton. -
The Reopening of Theaters
In the spring of 1594, the London theaters reopen to the public, and over the next five years, Shakespeare's troupe, the Chamberlain's Men, becomes one of the most popular acting groups in London. They were frequently invited to perform in the royal court of Queen Elizabeth I. -
Death in The Family
Hamnet, the son of William and Anne, dies at the age of 11 of unknown causes. -
A New House
Thanks to his theater work and shrewd investments, Shakespeare buys New Place, the second-largest house in Stratford. -
Shakespeare is Praised
Writer Francis Meres publishes a glowing review of Shakespeare's work. -
The Creation of The Globe Theater
The Chamberlain's Men build the Globe, a wooden theater in London, and Many of Shakespeare's most famous plays were performed for the first time here. -
Hamlet
Shakespeare's father dies and his patron Earl Southampton is sentenced to death for his role in the Essex rebellion. It is believed that the death of his father motivates Shakespeare to write Hamlet around this time. Meanwhile, Shakespeare's plays over the next few years take a dark, brooding tone. -
The Age of Jacobean Begins
Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I, King James ascends the throne, and The Chamberlain's Men change their name to the King's Men, and perform before King James many times. -
The Final Plays
Shakespeare composes his final plays Henry VIII, Two Noble Kinsmen in collaboration with John Fletcher, a replacement playwright for the King's Men. Sadly, the Globe Theatre catches fire during a performance of Henry VIII and burns to the ground. -
The Death of A Revolutionary
Suffering from an unknown illness, William Shakespeare dies on his 52nd birthday. He is later buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford on April 25,1616, the same church where he was baptized.
