William Shakespeare, often referred to as the Bard of Avon, is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His vision was to reflect the human experience in its entirety through his plays and sonnets. Shakespeare's remarkable understanding of human psychology and emotion is evident in his work, as he depicted characters, situations, and stories that span the spectrum of human emotion and experience. His works often explore themes of love, ambition, power, revenge, jealousy, betrayal, and the complex nature of the human condition. He captured the essence of humanity and its complexities, making his work timeless and universally relatable.

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. His exact birth date remains unknown, although it is traditionally observed on 23 April, Saint George's Day. He was the third child of John Shakespeare, a leather merchant, and Mary Arden, a local landed heiress. William had two older sisters and three younger brothers. He was educated at the King's New School in Stratford, where he learned Latin and Greek and read the Roman dramatists. At 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Around 1585, Shakespeare began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. By 1592, he was sufficiently established as a playwright to be criticized by others in that profession. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories and these works remain regarded as some of the best work produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608, including Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights. Shakespeare retired to Stratford around 1613, where he died three years later.

During his lifetime, Shakespeare was recognized for his talent and in 1593, his work 'Venus and Adonis' was dedicated to the Earl of Southampton. This was a significant recognition as dedicating works to noble patrons was a common practice of the time to gain support and favor. However, it is posthumously that Shakespeare's work has received widespread acclaim and recognition. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. His work has been continuously performed, interpreted in numerous ways and settings, and has been an endless source of inspiration to artists of all kinds. Shakespeare's plays and sonnets have had a profound influence on literature in the English-speaking world and have permeated the cultural and artistic traditions of numerous other languages and nations. In recognition of his contributions to literature, the newly constructed British Library in London was, in 1997, opened with a prominent display of Shakespeare's works.