William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564 - April 23, 1616) was a human who lived on Earth during the 16th and 17th centuries. A native of England, Shakespeare was a poet and playwright. Over the centuries he was considered one of the greatest writers in human history, having written numerous poems, 38 plays, and 154 sonnets.

Not only were the various works of Shakespeare popular among humans, but as humans joined the interstellar community Shakespeare's works became popular among other races as well. Many of the works of Shakespeare were translated into alien languages, the Klingons were one of the races that did so. Thus Shakespeare became particuarly popular amongst Klingons. In 2293, Gorkon told the senior staff of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) that a person did not experience Shakespeare until it was heard in the original Klingon. (TOS movie [[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

When the wedding of two members of the Tizarin race from rival families was announced at a briefing, Doctor Beverly Crusher compared the situation to the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet. Lieutenant Commander Data responded by referred to the play as commentary on negligent parents and suicide, irritating Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Picard then revealed that he had once been part of a theater company that performed the play. (TNG novel Q-in-Law)