Charles (1775 - 1834) and Mary (1764 - 1847) Lamb are English siblings best known for their book, Tales of Shakespeare, a juvenile simplification of twenty of the bard's plays, which has never been out of print since its first publication in 1807. Both worked at other jobs for most of their adult lives--Charles as an accounting clerk for the British East India Tea Company; Mary, as a dressmaker, doing their writing on the side. Despite their 11-year age difference, Charles and Mary were close from very beginning. They wrote three books together, numerous ones individually, and often shared living quarters. (Neither sibling married, though Charles was in love several times.) Despite enjoying an active social life and quite a bit of renown during their day (Charles' best buddy for most of his life was fellow poet Samuel Coleridge), both suffered from mental illness that kept them in and out of asylums throughout their lives. Charles' depression was exacerbated by alcohol abuse, while Mary's nervous breakdown from constant caregiving in stressful circumstances resulted in the accidental stabbing of her mother. The tragedy was chalked up to temporary insanity, and Mary was released under the guardianship of her brother. Ironically, much of what these siblings produced were carefree, happy poems and tales for children.