William Shakespeare

"But what should be the nature of this great work? What subject could unite all opinions, tastes, and talents? Where should be found a series of secular subjects, unobjectionable to all artists, equally important to all nations, and wich should contain the elements of interesting durability to last the ages. The Works of Shakesepare only were worthy of such illustration"

-Shearjashub Spooner

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, a town north of London. The exact day of his birth is unknown, but there is record of his baptism taking place on April 26th, 1564.

The Infant Shakespeare

Biographical information comes from the introductory material of The Norton Shakespeare, 2nd edition. Eds. Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Jean E. Howard, and Katherine Eisama Maus. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2008.