William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. His exact birth date is unknown, but it is traditionally celebrated on April 23. In England, this day is known as the feast of St. George. He was the third of eight children born to John and Mary Arden Shakespeare. John Shakespeare was a tanner and a glove maker. He served a term as the mayor of Stratford, a town councilman, a justice of the peace, and an ale-taster. Unfortunately, John could not write. John Shakespeare died in 1601. Since William was his eldest son, he received what little land his father owned. Little is known about his mother's life. It is known that she came from a wealthy family. Her family also paid her husband a handsome dowry.
             William Shakespeare went to a very good grammar school in Stratford-upon-Avon. Two of his instructors were Oxford graduates, Simon Hunt, and Thomas Jenkins. William's studies were in Greek and Latin. He developed the ability of keen observation of both nature and mankind. It is said that his education ended here. On November 27, 1582, when William was 18 years old, he married Anne Hathaway. She was ten years older than him. Their first daughter, named Susanna, was born the next year on May 26, 1583. The couple also had twins, Hamnet and Judith, in 1585. Hamnet died at the age of eleven, but it is unknown how. Between the years of 1585 and 1592, no evidence of what happened in Shakespeare's life is known. These years are called "The Hidden Years." It is said that during this period, he ran away from the law or was the apprentice of a butcher, although a man named John Aubry was told by Christopher Beston that Shakespeare was a school teacher up until 1592 somewhere in London. Beginning in 1592, in London, he became known as an established playwright. In 1593 he found a patron, Henry Wriothsley, to sponsor him. William Shakespeare was also an actor, writer, director, and stockholder in "The King's Men" company.
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