| | | Short Biography of William Shakespeare
Date of Birth: Born on 23 April 1564
Place of Birth : Stratford upon Avon
Parents: Father: John Shakespeare, Merchant and Bailiff and Justice of the Peace
Mother: Mary Arden
For additional information about the life of the Great Bard go to William Shakepeare Biography
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| 1564 | April 23: William Shakespeare was born. He spent his early years in Stratford upon Avon where attended Stratford Grammar School until he was 14 years old
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| 1582 | November 28: 'William Shagspeare' as it was spelt on the marriage bond wed 'Anne Hathwey' - Anne Hathaway of Shottery, Stratford
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| 1583 | May 26: The baptism of Susanna Shakespeare the first child of William and Anne born six months after their wedding
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| 1585 | Twins, Hamnet and Judith were born February 2, The baptism of Hamnet and Judith Shakespeare
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| 1592 | Will leaves his home in Stratford upon Avon and starts to work in the emerging theatres September 3: Death of Robert Greene author of Groatsworth of Wit in which he complains about Shakespeare as an "upstart crow"
December: Robert Greene's editor Henry Chettle made a public apology to Christopher Marlowe and Shakespeare for the Groatsworth of Wit
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| 1593 | London Theatres close due to the Bubonic Plague (The Black Death) Begins writing the Sonnets which were probably completed in 1597 April 18: Registration of his poem Venus and Adonis which was published by Richard Field (1561 - 1624)
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| 1595 | Achieves prosperity and recognition as the leading London Playwright at the 'Theatre' which is owned by Burbage March 15: First document mentioning Shakespeare connected with the theatre
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| 1596 | The company of actors moved to the Swan Theatre on Bankside when London's authorities ban the public presentation of plays within the city limits of London August 11: His son, Hamnet dies, possibly from the bubonic plague, at the age of eleven October 20: John Shakespeare, father of Shakespeare is Granted a Coat of Arms
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| 1598 | Shakespeare and other members of the company finance the building of the Globe Theatre
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| 1599 | The Globe Theatre is built on Bankside |
| 1600 | First production of Julius Caesar at the Globe theatre
October 8: Registration of his famous play 'A Midsummer's Nights Dream'
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| 1601 | His acting troupe, the Chamberlain's Men, commissioned to stage Richard II at the Globe Theatre
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| 1603 | March 24: Queen Elizabeth I dies and James the VI of Scotland becomes the new monarch in England as King James I
May 19, The King's Men acting troupe forms
February: Registration of Troilus and Cressida
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| 1604 | First performance of Othello |
| 1608 | Mentioned as one of "the mens' players" (The King's Men)
The King's Men buy the Blackfriars Theatre of which Shakespeare is part owner
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| 1613 | June 29: Fire destroys the Globe Theatre during a performance of Henry VIII when cannon fire sets fire to the thatched roof
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| 1614 | The second Globe Theatre was built |
| 1616 | April 23: The death of William Shakespeare
April 25: Burial takes place in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford
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| 1623 | 'The First Folio' of his plays is published |
| 1644 | The Globe Theatre was demolished by the Puritans |
