Famous playwright and actor, William Shakespeare’s work is known to many. His works have mattered to so many people that there had been much speculation about the man. As prolific as his work was, historians know very little about the man offstage. Since his death, there has been speculation about his religion, his sexual orientation, what he really looked like, what he died of, and if he really wrote all the things accredited to him. While there is much unknown, here are ten facts about the man.

Fact 1: Stratford-upon-Avon was the site of his birth, but only his date of baptisim is recorded; April 26, 1564. William was the eldest surviving son of John and Mary, one of 8 children. He was raised in the town of his birth, but between 1585 and 1592 he moved to London to work on the stage.

Fact 2: At 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was 26. They were issued a marriage license on November 27, 1582, and they baptized their daughter on May 26, 1583. The twins, a boy and a girl, were baptized on February 2, 1585. Hamnet, his only son, died at the age of 11, and the cause it not known. From 1585 until 1592, little is known about Shakespeare’s life. These are known as his ‘˜lost years’.

Fact 3: In 1592, Shakespeare had enough plays performed to be the target of critics.

Fact 4: Starting in 1594, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men would be the only company that would perform Shakespeare’s works. As he owned part of the company, it was in his own best interest to produce popular plays. Queen Elizabeth died in 1603 and her heir, King James I was the monarch to please. The King’s Men became the new name of the company, though they still monopolized Shakespeare’s plays.

Fact 5: The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by a group of company members. This same group would purchase the Blackfriars Indoor Theatre in 1608. Shakespeare was a member of this group, and his investments allowed him to buy the second largest house in Stratford in 1597.

Fact 6: London theatres were often closed down on account of the plague, leaving little or no acting work. Shakespeare was still active, visiting London and writing plays, at least until 1613. John Fletcher, who would take over as the playwright for the King’s Men, is thought to have collaborated with Shakespeare on his last 3 plays.

Fact 7: At the age of 52, on April 23, 1616, William Shakespeare died. His wife and two daughters were still alive, and both daughters were married. Most of his estate was left to his eldest daughter, to pass on to her eldest son. Shakespeare never had any great-grandchildren, not even after his death, so there are no direct decedents of Shakespeare.

Fact 8: Shakespeare is accredited with two narrative poems, 154 sonnets, and 38 plays. Other poems or verses have been ascribed to him, but there is not enough evidence to prove it one way or another. Some of his plays were collaborations, and others were edited by other people.

Fact 9: An 18th century scholar mistakenly wrote that Shakespeare was born on April 23, the same day that his died. Pleased by this symmetry, people have held on to this idea ever since.

Fact 10: Some scholars now believe Romeo and Juliet was written as satire, mocking the way love was portrayed in contemporary theatre.