William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor considered the greatest writer in the English language. He was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and wrote about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and several other poems. Shakespeare had a successful career in London as an actor and writer between 1585-1592, and later owned the Globe Theatre. Some of his most famous works include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. He died in 1616 in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon at the age of 52.