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When was William Shakespeare born?
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William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare, detail of an oil painting attributed to John Taylor, c. 1610. The portrait is called the “Chandos Shakespeare” because it once belonged to the duke of Chandos.
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. While his exact birth date is not recorded, he was baptized at Holy Trinity Church on April 26, 1564, and his birthday is traditionally celebrated on April 23.12