William Shakespeare, the greatest and most famous of English writers, and probably the greatest playwright who has ever lived, was born on the 23rd of April, 1564, in Stratford-on-Avon. In spite of his fame, we know very little about his life. At the age of six, he was sent to school, but had to leave it at the age of 13. His father, John Shakespeare, was a glove-maker, and when he fell into debt, William had to help him in the trade. Just what William did between his fourteenth and eighteenth year isn't known. At the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway. Ann was eight years older than her husband and the marriage wasn't a happy one. When Shakespeare was twenty-one, he went to London. We don't know why he left Stratford-on-Avon. There is a story that Shakespeare's first job in London was holding rich men's horses at the theatre door, but nobody can be sure that this story is true. Later, Shakespeare became an actor and a member of a very successful acting company.