William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616)was an English poet, playwrig and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith.Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613.Shakespeare was a respected poet and playwright in his own day, but his reputation did not rise to its present heights until the 19th century.