William Shakespeare, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. His father became mayor and began to engage in local politics, and his mother was a member of a wealthy landowning family.

Shakespeare showed an early interest in literature and drama, and he was educated at King's New School, where he would have received a comprehensive education, including the study of Latin, Greek, logic, and rhetoric. Despite his family's financial difficulties, he was able to attend university and later moved to London in the late 1580s. There, he initially worked as an actor and playwright, and later as a shareholder in a theater company.

By the early 1590s, Shakespeare had become a prominent playwright and poet, and his works began to gain recognition. He wrote a large number of plays, including tragedies, comedies, and histories, which are still performed and studied today. Some of his most famous works include "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Othello," "King Lear," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

Shakespeare's influence on English literature and theater cannot be overstated. His works have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other Western playwright. In addition to his plays, Shakespeare also wrote a collection of 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems.

In his later years, Shakespeare returned to his hometown of Stratford, where he lived until his death on April 23, 1616. Despite his relatively short career, Shakespeare's contributions to literature and theater have left an indelible mark on Western culture, and he is celebrated as one of the greatest writers in history.