Hamnet Shakespeare

Hamnet Shakespeare (1585-1596) was the only son of English playwright William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway. He had an older sister, Susanna, and a twin sister, Judith.

He lived with his mother and sisters in Stratford-Upon-Avon. His father moved out of the house when he was only three and did not return in Hamnet's lifetime.

The boy died at the age of eleven in 1596.

1596 was also the year William Shakespeare wrote Prince of Denmark, a story of fathers and sons whose hero's name is Hamlet. This has prompted some to wonder whether the death of Hamnet influenced Will in the writing of his opus magnus.