William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is considered by many to be the greatest poet to have written in the English language and the finest dramatist the world has known. Shakespeare was born to middle-class parents in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He later lived in London and pursued a life in the theater, both as an actor and as a playwright. He wrote at least thirty-seven plays, including comedies, tragedies, histories, and romances. Shakespeare did not personally prepare his plays for publication, and no official collection of them appeared until after his death. Since that time his works have become widely produced and read in many different countries around the world.