Who Was Hamnet Shakespeare
Hamnet Shakespeare was the only son of William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway. He was born in 1585 in Stratford-upon-Avon and died in 1596 at the age of eleven.
What Happened in Hamnet's Short Life
Very few records survive about Hamnet's daily life. He likely grew up in the Shakespeare household while his father worked as a playwright and actor in London. In 1596, Hamnet died, and his father later buried him in Stratford.
How Hamnet Is Remembered
Hamnet is mainly remembered through historical parish records and his connection to Shakespeare. Some scholars link his death to themes in Shakespeare's later writing. For basic facts, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust provides an overview of his family.
