Historical biography timeline
Explore a static chronology of 16 World History Database records for William Shakespeare. The page is generated from the same biography records used by the searchable database, making important life events directly crawlable and readable.
Life and historical importance
English playwright, poet and actor whose tragedies, comedies and histories became central to English-language literature. His dramatic innovation, language and characterization have kept his works continuously performed, adapted and studied worldwide.
Editorial overview by World History Database. The chronology below is generated from the site's structured biography records.
Chronology
Records are ordered by year, month and day where dates are available. The wording below comes from the World History Database biography collection.
Birth of William Shakespeare
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
Marriage bond is made for the marriage of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway
Drama
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
Lord Chamberlains Men
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
Drama
1st performance of, "Richard III"
Drama
1st performance of, "The Merry Wives of Windsor". 1st performance of, "Henry IV"
Drama
A partnership of Lord Chamberlains Men company members build their own theatre on the south bank of the Thames, which they called the Globe
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
Lord Chamberlains Men
A partnership of Lord Chamberlains Men company members build their own theatre on the south bank of the Thames, which they called the Globe
Kings 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
Lord Chamberlains 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
Drama
1st performance of, "Macbeth"
in 1609, the Sonnets are the last of Shakespeares non-dramatic works
Published in 1609, the Sonnets are the last of Shakespeares non-dramatic works to be printed
the Sonnets are the last of Shakespeares non-dramatic works
Published in 1609, the Sonnets are the last of Shakespeares non-dramatic works to be printed
Drama
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
the
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
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Editorial provenance
Compiled and edited by World History Database
Biography timelines are compiled from the World History Database and checked against established historical and biographical reference sources.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Reference points include Encyclopaedia Britannica biographies, The National Archives, Library of Congress, and U.S. National Archives. Individual database records may draw on additional specialist sources appropriate to the person, period or event.
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