When did William Shakespeare start writing?

The exact date of when William Shakespeare began to write is unknown, but the first publication and performance of his work is estimated to be between 1589 and 1594. There is not much information about Shakespeare's early years with the exception of his marriage and the birth of his children.

Due to the lack of information and the sheer number of plays and sonnets produced by Shakespeare have given rise to the idea, even when he was alive, that he may not have been the actual author of all of his plays and sonnets. Famous authors of more modern times, including Mark Twain have questioned Shakespeare's penning of his works.