Geoffrey Chaucer author page

Geoffrey Chaucer biography

Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet, civil servant and diplomat of the 14th century. He is widely regarded as the “father of English literature.”

Chaucer’s most famous work, The Canterbury Tales, is a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims travelling to Canterbury. Written in Middle English, it provided a vivid portrait of medieval society and helped establish English as a literary language. His other works include Troilus and Criseyde, The Book of the Duchess and The House of Fame.

Chaucer served in the court of Edward III and later Richard II, holding posts such as Controller of Customs and Clerk of the King’s Works. The Canterbury Tales was left unfinished at his death in 1400.