The term 'OF AVON (SHAKESPEARE)' can be summarized as the BARD of AVON, which is a nickname for William SHAKESPEARE. SHAKESPEARE was an English poet, playwright, and actor who is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the 'BARD of AVON'. His surviving works consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.