William Shakespeare was born some time in late April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and died in 1616. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

Stanley Wells is Emeritus Professor of the University of Birmingham and Honorary President of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Russ McDonald is Professor of English at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Ernest Schanzer was a Shakespeare scholar who taught at the Universities of Liverpool and Munich.