William Shakespeare, considered the greatest English playwright, was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He wrote plays, poems and sonnets, including famous works like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth. Though details of his life are scarce, it is known that he married at age 18, began writing plays professionally at 25, and died in 1616 in his hometown at the age of 52, leaving behind a profound literary legacy.