Geoffrey Chaucer:
(London?, c. 1343 – possibly 25 October 1400)
Considered the most important writer in Middle English literature. He was the creator of some of the most acclaimed works of poetry in world literature. Chaucer was not only an exceptionally gifted author and poet, but also led a busy public life as a soldier, courtier, diplomat and official, holding a variety of public offices. During that career, he was the confidant and protégé of three successive kings, namely Edward III (1312-1377), Richard II (1367-1400) and Henry IV (1367-1413). Yet Chaucer found the time to write thousands of verses that are still highly appreciated and admired by literature lovers today. In doing so, he demonstrated that the English of his time (now called Middle English) could be used in poetry just as well as French or Latin, which earned him that title of “father of English literature”. Although he wrote many works, he is most celebrated for his unfinished frame story The Canterbury Tales.
And after winter folweth grene May.
