(1564-1616) Shakespeare is hailed as England’s national poet and the world’s greatest playwright. He was born and spent his early life in Stratford-upon-Avon before establishing himself as an actor-playwright in London.  He helped to establish the Globe Theatre, where his works are still performed today. Among his many plays are Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His Sonnets  were published in 1609. In 1610 he retired to his birthplace, where he died six years later.