William Shakespeare (1564–1616), the son of a prominent citizen, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. Although he probably attended grammar school, he did not go to college. Very little is known about his youth. The first written record of his life, after his birth certificate, is the record of his marriage to Anne Hathaway in 1582. Within a few years of their marriage, a daughter and then twins (a boy and a girl) were born. The next written evidence of his life dates to 1592 and indicates that he was then an actor and playwright in London. By 1597, Shakespeare was a man of wealth and high social standing, since, in addition to his own theatrical success, his father had been granted a coat of arms. For more information on Shakespeare, see the introduction to Unit Five, page 371.