Everyone has had a brush with Shakespeare at some point, whether through school, through a theatre or on a tourist tour.
Many more have fallen in love with the bard and his writing. But how much do you know about the man himself?
In addition to great literature, Stratford has Shakespeare to thank for being the reason many thousands of people have travelled to Warwickshire and enjoyed the fine county.
Learn all about the man and his life with our guide to the basics, below.
Ìý| Ìý |  | Dressing up as Shakespeare on St George's Day in Stratford
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William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford. His birthday is celebrated on 23 April every year.
There is no record of his birth, but this date is thought to be his birthday as we know he was baptised three days later on 26 April 1564. It is also St George's Day.
ÌýShakespeare's childhood
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| Ìý |  | Shakespeare bear outside the Stratford Teddy Shop
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Shakespeare was one of seven children born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden.
Three of his siblings died in childhood, two of them from a plague that hit Stratford the year Shakespeare was born.
ÌýShakespeare's education
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Shakespeare's father may well have been illiterate, despite achieving a high rank in business and politics.
Later in life Shakespeare's father fell on hard times and had debts, but it is likely his son attended King's New School in Stratford for free because of his temporary status.
ÌýShakespeare's marriage and children
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| Ìý |  | An animated Shakespeare puppet from the Â鶹ԼÅÄ's The Animated Tales
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In November 1582, aged 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. Anne was eight years older than Shakespeare and was three months pregnant with their first child when they wed.
Just six months later, on 26 May 1583 their first child, Susanna, was born. Three years later on he 2 February 1585 twins Hamnet and Judith were born.
ÌýShakespeare's working life
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| Ìý |  | An etching of Shakespeare at work
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Shakespeare went to London to find work in theatres, although it is not known exactly when or where he first worked.
At that time London was a very busy and disease-ridden city. People there were dying faster than they were born.
The city was also a vibrant place with a thriving thirst for entertainment. There were many temporary stages and theatres and the first permanent stage venue, called The Theatre, was opened in 1576 on the banks of the Thames. It was replaced by The Globe Theatre in 1599.
Ìý| Ìý |  | Image from the Â鶹ԼÅÄ's The Animated Tales: Othello
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During his life he wrote numerous plays and poems which were very popular. Their popularity has continue to grow long after his death, too.
It is not known when Shakespeare started to work as an actor and write, but some dates of his later writings are clear as historic incidents are evident in his writing.
In 1593 a plague hit London and all public events - including theatre productions - were forbidden until the following year. Shakespeare turned to poetry during this time, producing dark and gruesome tales.
More dark writing were to come in 1596 when Shakespeare's only son, Hamnet, died. Despite being at the height of his fame in London, Shakespeare started to write unsettling plays such as Macbeth, King Lear, Othello and Anthony and Cleopatra.
ÌýShakespeare's later years
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| Ìý |  | The garden at New Place in Stratford
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In around 1609, after writing about 24 plays, Shakespeare was spending more and more time back in Stratford, in what we might now call semi-retirement. In 1614 he wrote his final play - The Two Noble Kinsmen. By then he had moved back to Stratford permanently.
ÌýShakespeare died on 23 April 1616 - his 52nd birthday. This date is now also recognised as National Poets Day.
It is believed his self-penned epitaph was:
"Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones."
He was burried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.
ÌýThe Shakespeare houses
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