William Shakespeare (Stratford-upon-Avon, 1564 (baptized on April 26) - Stratford-upon-Avon, April 23, 1616) was an English poet, playwright and actor, regarded as the greatest writer of the English language and the most influential playwright in the world. He is often called the national poet of England and "Bardo do Avon" (or simply The Bard, "The Bardo"). Of his works, including those in collaboration, there remain 38 pieces, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few more sparse verses, whose authorship, however, are still disputed. His plays have been translated into all major modern languages and are more staged than those of any other playwright. Many of his texts and themes are still alive today, being revisited frequently, especially in theater, television, cinema and literature.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon. At 18 he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna and the twins Hamnet and Judith. Between 1585 and 1592 William began a successful career in London as an actor, writer and one of the owners of the theater company called Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as King's Men. It is believed that he returned to Stratford around 1613, dying three years later. Few records remain of Shakespeare's private life, and there is much speculation on matters such as his physical appearance, sexuality, religious beliefs, and whether some of the works attributed to him would have been written by other authors.