William Shakespeare, one of literature's greatest influences, was born in 1564. We know from the earliest record of his life that William was baptised on Wednesday, April 26th, 1564. The actual date of his birth is unknown by from this record we can assume he was born in 1564. William was born to John and Mary Shakespeare along with his seven brothers and sisters. However, of his seven siblings only five made it to adulthood. William's father was said to be a town official and a local businessman who dealt with grain, leatherwork, tanning, and whittawering. Whittawering is working with white leather to make items like purses and gloves. His mother married John Shakespeare in 1557 and inherited much of her father's landowning and farming estate when he passed away. A bond certificate dated November 28th, 1582 reveals that at 18 years old William married Anne Hathaway who was 26 years old and pregnant. About 7 months later they had their daughter, Susanna. In February 1592 William was blessed with twins, Hamnet and Judith. However, in 1596 Hamnet died, he was only eleven years old and William's only son. It is estimated that Shakespeare arrived in London around 1588 and began to establish himself as an actor and playwright. By 1594, he was not only acting and writing for the Lord Chamberlain's Men, but was a managing partner in the operation as well. William, along with a few other talented men, made the Lord Chamerlain's men a favorite in London. His company was the most successful in London in his day. Never before had a playwright enjoyed sufficient acclaim to see his works published and sold as popular literature in the midst of his career. Shakespeare was not very wealthy but his success allowed him to purchase New House and retire comfortably in Stratford in 1611. William wrote his will that year; leaving his properties to his daughter, Susanna. He left some money to his other daughter, Judith, as well. and to his wife he left "my second best bed." He allegedly died in April 1616.
