William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, and was baptized on April 26, 1564. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582 with whom he had three children. He began his career in London as an actor and writer, becoming a shareholder in the playing company the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. Shakespeare was a prolific writer during the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages of British theatre (sometimes called the English Renaissance or the Early Modern Period). His works have had a profound influence on literature, theatre, and the arts for over four centuries. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more frequently than those of any other playwright.