William Shakespeare is the greatest English dramatist. He was born on 23 April, 1564 AD, and died on 23 April, 1616 AD. His Birthplace is Stratford Avon. He is often called the Bard of Avon. Shakespearean period belongs to '1590-1616'. He wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets. Source: An ABC of English Literature, Dr. M Mofizar Rahman and Website Lecture.