The Merchant of Venice: Summary William Shakespeare was born in Stratford in April 23, 1564. He was baptized on April 26 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwichshire. William was the third of eight children. His father was John Shakespeare. He was a glove maker in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon. John was respected man in the town. His mother was Mary Arden. She married John in 1557. Mary was the daughter of a farmer. At the age of 7 William attended the Stratford grammar school with other boys of his social class. He was in school nine hours a day. They attended classes year around, except for three holi