The actual day that William Shakespeare was born is not known for certain. So April 23rd 1564 is the date chosen to celebrate his birthday, since it was three days before his baptism. 23rd April 1616 is also the day that Shakespeare died.
Shakespeare was born in the town Stratford-upon-Avon, which was a quiet market town in Warwickshire, with fewer than 2000 people living there. The town was close to the cities of Oxford and Coventry.
Shakespeare’s parents were called John and Mary. John was a successful businessman and Mary was the daughter of a nobleman. William was the oldest surviving child and he had four younger siblings.
Shakespeare was educated as a boy, but left school when he was 15. He then started to help out with his father’s glove-making business.
For more information about William Shakespeare (and other famous people) visit the kids’ catalogue. Books about Shakespeare are here, for other famous people try this.