A 400-year-old botany book contains what could be the only known portrait of William Shakespeare made in his own life time.<br /><br /> 'Authentic image of Shakespeare,' part of 400-year-old botany book, historian says http://t.co/eptMpmEjUM— Pixel Fiftyone (@Pixel51) May 19, 2015<br /> <br /><br /> The picture of a young , bearded man was identified by Botanist and historian Mark Griffiths.<br /><br /> Until now all other likenesses have depicted the playwright as middle aged and balding.<br /><br /> Griffiths believes that in the engraving the Shakespeare figure is aged 33 and at the height of his celebrity – after writing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and shortly before “Hamlet”.<br /><br /> He made his discovery while researching a biography of botanist John Gerard (1545-1612) <br /><br /> Four figures appeared on an engraving in the book – they are the author Gerard, Rembert Dodoens, ( a Flemish botanist) and Lord Burghley said to have been Queen Elizabeth l spymaster and Lord Treasurer. The fourth holds plants which point to Shakespeare’s po
