England's greatest poet and playwright was born in Stratford, the son of a tradesman and Alderman of Stratford, John Shakespeare in 1564. William, the eldest son, and third child of eight, was baptized on the 26th April 1564. He received his early education at Stratford Grammar School, but little is known of his life up to his eighteenth year. His Grammar School curriculum would have provided a formidable linguistic, and to some extent literary education. It is noted that he did not like grammar but did have a love for dramatics. Shakespeare attended King’s New School in Stratford which was one of the best grammar schools. Shakespeare read many books. He used som