There are few facts known with certainty about William Shakespeare's life. The best-ocumented facts are that Shakespeare was baptised in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England, April 26, 1564, at age 18 married Anne Hathaway, had three children, and died on April 23, 1616 at the age of 52. Shakespeare is one of the first playwrights known to have retired before he died.