William Shakespeare was a novelist.
William Shakespeare ( [ ˈʃeɪkspɪə ] 26 April 1564 ( baptised ) -- 23 April 1616 ) was an English : poet , : playwright , and actor , widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world 's pre-eminent dramatist . In his last phase , he wrote tragicomedies , also known as romances , and collaborated with other playwrights .