William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare died in Stratford-upon-Avon on 23 April 1616. The English 'Bard' is considered the most important playwright of all time and the most representative author of English literature. The scant information that has reached historians has often given rise to debates about his life and the attribution of his works. The date of his death is deemed to coincide with the passings of Miguel de Cervantes and Garcilaso de la Vega and was chosen by UNESCO as the date on which World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated.