'No estimate of Shakespeare's genius can be adequate. In knowledge of human character, in wealth of humour, in depth of passion, in fertility of fancy, and in soundness of judgement, he has no rival.' William Shakespeare was one of the most influential dramatists and poets whose plays are performed more often than those of any other playwright till today. In this work Sidney Lee presents the major facts of Shakespeare's life and illustrates them with numerous quotes of the sonnets and plays. Sidney Lee was an editor of the Dictionary of National Biography and several English classics. One of his special subjects was the life and work of William Shakespeare.