William Shakespeare, often considered the greatest writer of plays ever, was born in 1564 in the little town of Stratford upon Avon, about 120 kilometres from London. He was the third of eight children

William Shakespeare , often considered the greatest writer of plays ever , was born in 1564 in the little town of Stratford - upon - Avon , about 120 kilometres from London . He was the third of eight children . When Shakespeare was 18 , he married Anne Hathaway , a woman eight years older than himself . Three children were born to them . As a young man , Shakespeare went to London to work at the theatre . He worked there for several years before he began to write his own plays . Shakespeare soon became a well - known writer in London . He was part of one of London's most popular acting groups . His plays were often performed and published . He was considered the most popular writer of his time . In 1599 he and some colleagues became the owners of their own theatre , the Globe Theatre .