William Baker is Distinguished Research Professor, Department of English and University Libraries, at Northern Illinois University, USA. He is the author/editor of numerous books and his co-authored Harold Pinter: A Bibliographical History and his The Letters of Wilkie Collins were honoured by Choice as the year's most outstanding books (2006 and 2000).

• Acknowledgments; 1. Early Life: Birth, upbringing, family, marriage. England at the time; 2. London: The Elizabethan stage, the early History Plays.; 3. The Poems and Sonnets; 4. Working Dramatist: The Comedies; 5. Political Unrest: Elizabeth's last years; 6. The Tragedies; 7. The New Regime, the Problem Plays; 8. Shakespeare as Collaborator; 9. The Last Years: The Late Romances; 10. Conclusion: Shakespeare's life enshrined. The First Folio Notes; Bibliography; Index.

‘In William Shakespeare, William Baker affords readers with a thoroughgoing study of the great dramatist's life and times. With key insights into the nature of the Elizabethan stage, Renaissance-era political unrest, and the textual dilemmas associated with Shakespeare's work, Baker offers an expansive, top-drawer analysis suitable for undergraduates, graduate students, and general readers alike.'- Professor Ken Womack, Penn State University, USA

William Baker is Distinguished Research Professor, Department of English and University Libraries, at Northern Illinois University, USA. He is the author/editor of numerous books and his co-authored Harold Pinter: A Bibliographical History and his The Letters of Wilkie Collins were honoured by Choice as the year's most outstanding books (2006 and 2000).

• Acknowledgments; 1. Early Life: Birth, upbringing, family, marriage. England at the time; 2. London: The Elizabethan stage, the early History Plays.; 3. The Poems and Sonnets; 4. Working Dramatist: The Comedies; 5. Political Unrest: Elizabeth's last years; 6. The Tragedies; 7. The New Regime, the Problem Plays; 8. Shakespeare as Collaborator; 9. The Last Years: The Late Romances; 10. Conclusion: Shakespeare's life enshrined. The First Folio Notes; Bibliography; Index.

‘In William Shakespeare, William Baker affords readers with a thoroughgoing study of the great dramatist's life and times. With key insights into the nature of the Elizabethan stage, Renaissance-era political unrest, and the textual dilemmas associated with Shakespeare's work, Baker offers an expansive, top-drawer analysis suitable for undergraduates, graduate students, and general readers alike.'- Professor Ken Womack, Penn State University, USA

William Baker is Distinguished Research Professor, Department of English and University Libraries, at Northern Illinois University, USA. He is the author/editor of numerous books and his co-authored Harold Pinter: A Bibliographical History and his The Letters of Wilkie Collins were honoured by Choice as the year's most outstanding books (2006 and 2000).

• Acknowledgments; 1. Early Life: Birth, upbringing, family, marriage. England at the time; 2. London: The Elizabethan stage, the early History Plays.; 3. The Poems and Sonnets; 4. Working Dramatist: The Comedies; 5. Political Unrest: Elizabeth's last years; 6. The Tragedies; 7. The New Regime, the Problem Plays; 8. Shakespeare as Collaborator; 9. The Last Years: The Late Romances; 10. Conclusion: Shakespeare's life enshrined. The First Folio Notes; Bibliography; Index.

‘In William Shakespeare, William Baker affords readers with a thoroughgoing study of the great dramatist's life and times. With key insights into the nature of the Elizabethan stage, Renaissance-era political unrest, and the textual dilemmas associated with Shakespeare's work, Baker offers an expansive, top-drawer analysis suitable for undergraduates, graduate students, and general readers alike.'- Professor Ken Womack, Penn State University, USA