The key dates

1564 Shakespeare born in Stratford-upon-Avon.

1594 Joins Lord Chamberlain's Men. Titus Andronicus, first quarto, published.

1599 Globe playhouse built.

1603 Death of Elizabeth I. Accession of James I.

1613 Shakespeare's writing career over.

1616 Shakespeare dies in Stratford-upon-Avon.

1623 Publication of the First Folio.

1642 Civil War closes the theatres.

1660 Theatres reopen with restoration of Charles II.

1769 Garrick's Shakespeare Jubilee in Stratford-upon-Avon.

1780 Garrick's library arrives in British Museum.

1828 George III's library arrives in British Museum.

1858 Quartos purchased from Halliwell-Phillipps.

2003 British Library Shakespeare quartos digitised.