William Shakespeare Biography

Shakespeares actual birthdate is unknown, but is traditionally observed on 23 April, St George's Day. Birth of William Shakespeare, son of John Shakespeare, a successful glover and alderman originally from Snitterfield, and Mary Arden

Marriage bond is made for the marriage of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway

From 1594, Shakespeares plays were performed only by the Lord Chamberlains Men, a company owned by a group of players, including Shakespeare, that soon became the leading playing company in London

From 1594, Shakespeares plays were performed only by the Lord Chamberlains Men, a company owned by a group of players, including Shakespeare, that soon became the leading playing company in London

1st performance of, "Richard III"

1st performance of, "The Merry Wives of Windsor". 1st performance of, "Henry IV"

A partnership of Lord Chamberlains Men company members build their own theatre on the south bank of the Thames, which they called the Globe

The Globe opens in autumn 1599, with Julius Caesar one of the first plays staged. A partnership of Lord Chamberlains Men company members build their own theatre on the south bank of the Thames, which they called the Globe

A partnership of Lord Chamberlains Men company members build their own theatre on the south bank of the Thames, which they called the Globe

After the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603, the Lord Chamberlains Men company is awarded a royal patent by the new king, James I, and changed its name to the King's Men

After the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603, the Lord Chamberlains Men company is awarded a royal patent by the new king, James I, and changed its name to the King's Men

1st performance of, "Macbeth"

Published in 1609, the Sonnets are the last of Shakespeares non-dramatic works to be printed

Published in 1609, the Sonnets are the last of Shakespeares non-dramatic works to be printed

Two of Shakespeares former theatrical colleagues publish the First Folio, a collected edition of his dramatic works that included all but two of the plays now recognised as Shakespeares. John Heminges and Henry Condell, two of Shakespeares friends from the King's Men, published the First Folio, a collected edition of Shakespeares plays containing 36 texts, including 18 printed for the first time

John Heminges and Henry Condell, two of Shakespeares friends from the King's Men, published the First Folio, a collected edition of Shakespeares plays containing 36 texts, including 18 printed for the first time