John Shakespeare
John Shakespeare | |
|---|---|
20th-century depiction of John Shakespeare in stained glass at the Guild Chapel, Stratford. He wears a chain and holds a rod to indicate his position of mayor. | |
| Born | Late 1520s Snitterfield, Warwickshire, England |
| Died | September 7, 1601 Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England |
| Burial place | Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| Occupations | Glover and leatherworker; local politician |
| Known for | Father of William Shakespeare |
| Spouse | Mary Arden |
| Children | 8, including William, Gilbert, Joan and Edmund |
| Father | Richard Shakespeare |
| Family | Shakespeare family |
John Shakespeare (late 1520s – 7 September 1601) was an English businessman who was the father of William Shakespeare. Active in Stratford-upon-Avon, he was a glover and whittawer (leather worker) by trade. Shakespeare was elected to several municipal offices, serving as an alderman and culminating in a term as bailiff, the chief magistrate of the town council, and mayor of Stratford in 1568, before he fell on hard times for reasons unknown. His fortunes later revived and he was granted a coat of arms five years before his death, probably at the instigation and expense of his son, the actor and playwright.
He married Mary Arden, with whom he had eight children, five of whom survived into adulthood.