William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English poet and playwright. His extant works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems and a few other verses, the authorship of some of which is uncertain. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Recommended reading in particular:
Much Ado About Nothing
Comedy of Errors
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Twelfth Night
King Lear
Measure for Measure
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
All of the Sonnets.
The Complete Works:
http://shakespeare.mit.edu/