The Life and Times of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. His father, John, was a glove maker and local official. Surprisingly, Shakespeare never attended university, which was uncommon for notable writers of his time.

At 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. They had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Interestingly, Hamnet died at 11, and some scholars believe his death influenced Shakespeare's later works, including 'Hamlet.'

The period between 1585 and 1592 in Shakespeare's life is undocumented, often called the 'Lost Years.' Speculations range from him working as a schoolteacher to traveling across Europe, but no definitive evidence exists.

Shakespeare moved to London by 1592, becoming an actor and playwright. He was a founding member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later the King's Men. Surprisingly, he was also a shrewd businessman, owning part of the Globe Theatre.

Shakespeare retired to Stratford around 1613. He continued writing until his death in 1616. His works, totaling 39 plays and 154 sonnets, have influenced countless writers and remain integral to English literature. Astonishingly, some plays were published posthumously.

Shockingly, Shakespeare invented over 1,700 words, including 'assassination' and 'eyeball,' which are used daily today.