William Shakespeare was born in Stratford- upon-Avon in late April, 1565 and baptized there on the 26th of April. He was one of 8 children. Little is known about his life but what is evident is the enormous contribution he has made to world literature. His writing is progressive, magnificent in scope, breathtaking in execution. His plays and sonnets helped enable the English language to speak with a voice unmatched by any other.William Shakespeare died on the 23rd April 1616, survived by his wife and two daughters. He was buried two days later in the chancel of the Holy Trinity Church.Poets rarely praise another of their kind, but Shakespeare deserved all their praise and more. And our poets down the centuries have been lavish and fulsome with it. To paraphrase the Bard himself ‘If words shall be the food of love, read on’.