To the Reader.
This Figure, that thou
here seest put,
It was for gentle Shakespeare
cut,
Wherein the Graver had
a strife
with Nature, to out-doo
the life :
O, could he but have
drawne his wit
As well in brasse, as
he hath hit
His face ; the Print
would then surpasse
All, that was ever writ
in brasse.
But, since he cannot,
Reader, looke
Not on his Picture, but
his Booke.
Ben Jonson's
Commendation of the
Droeshout engraving
First published 1623.
William Shakespeare is believed to have been born on April 23, 1564, to parents John and Mary Shakespeare. John was a whittawer (maker of leather goods) in Stratford-on-Avon, Shakespeare's home town. Later, John rose to the position of high bailiff, which is the equivalent to a town mayor. Following that, though, he fell from favour and lost his position, rumored that the cause was debts owed.
The Shakespeares had eight children, of which William was the third, though he was the first son.
William attended the King's New School, where he learned the intricacies of English and then Latin, being exposed to some of the writers, poets, and dramatists that would eventually influence his later writings.
At the age of 18, William married Ann Hathawy, who was eight years older at 26. Their first child (Susanna) was born six months later, and in 1585, twins (Judith and Hamnet) followed.
From approximately 1592 until his retirment in 1611, Shakespeare wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and various other works. The plays were mainly performed by the Lord Chamberlain's Men (Later called the King's Men).
He retired and left London in 1611 to return home. On March 25, 1616 Shakespeare wrote the final draft of his will, and on April 23, 1616, the day of his 52nd birthday, William Shakespeare died.