Each day we wallow inside the enormous BODY OF works from the great masters. Few of us learn about their real lifes, flaws, relationships or even their actual vocation! Below we present a few brief biographies.
Johan Sebastian Bach - (March 23,1685 - July 28, 1750, Eisenach, Germany). An orphan at age 10. A prodigy at 17. Married several times including his 2nd cousin (Maria Barbara Bach) in 1707. He eventually would sire 21 children. A self proclaimed 'coffee addict'. Earned his livelihood as a church organist. Began losing his sight to diabetes. The most prolific of the great masters when he died at 65. My Favorite!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - (January 27, 1756 - Dec 5, 1791 Salzburg, Bavaria). One of 7 children. Wrote his first symphony at age 11. Spoke 15 languages. An equally talented sister. Ejected from the Court of Salzburg for vulgarity. Made a living as a court organist and composer. Friends include Haydn. Suffered from chronic rheumatic fever. Immensely superstitious. In Vienna, he married Costanza Weber (1782). Had a rather bad drinking habit. Likely poisoned to death. Buried in a mass grave at age 35.

Ludwig van Beethoven - (December 17, 1770 - March 24, 1827, Bonn, Germany). Eldest of three surviving boys. Replaced his abusive, alcoholic father as professional organist at 14. Earned livelihood playing in saloons and private parties for the wealthy. Immensely competitive. Quite arrogant. Bad temper. Frequently ill. Never married. Very prolific. Lost his hearing and still managed to compose often holding his ear to the floor to sense vibrations.

William Shakespeare - (April 1564 - April 23, 1616 Warwickshire, England). At 18 wed Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582 (She was 26). They stayed married until his death at age 52. The union produced three children; Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. He wrote 38 plays and 150 sonnets. Many feel that he gathered popular works unto himself and penned them though not necessarily as the author. It does seem inconceivable that such a volume of work could be accomplished in one lifetime... and all with a quill pen!