Who is geoffrey chaucer

He has been called the father of english literature, or, alternatively, the father of english poetry. In 86, chaucer became controller of customs and justice of peace and, in 89, clerk of the kings work. In 86 geoffrey chaucer endured the worst year of his life, but he also made his best decision, or at least the. Humorous and profound, his writings show him to be an acute observer of his time with a deft command of many literary genres. Geoffrey chaucer was born between 40 and 45, probably in london. Geoffrey chaucer immortalised medieval england in the canterbury tales the stories of various people gravitating to canterbury cathedral at the end of a pilgrimage.

Chaucer, geoffrey geoffrey chaucer was born about 43, the son of a rich wine merchant in london. Geoffrey chaucer geoffrey chaucer diplomat and civil servant. Tales of caunterbury is a collection of 24 stories that runs to over 17,000 lines written in middle english by geoffrey chaucer between 87 and 1400. Geoffrey chaucer has to go down as one of britains finest writers. Geoffrey chaucer was born in london sometime between 40 and 44 to the academy of american poets is the largest membershipbased nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting american poets. Probably his first italian journey december 72 to may 73 was for negotiations with the genoese concerning an english port for their commerce, and with the florentines concerning loans for edward iii. Chaucer was descended from two generations of wealthy vintners who had everything but a title and in 57 chaucer began pursuing a position at court. As a squire in the court of elizabeth, countess of ulster, the wife of lionel, earl of ulster later duke of clarence, chaucer would have.

Geoffrey chaucer biography life, death, wife, school, young, book. Geoffrey chaucer, hailed as the father of english literature, was the greatest english poet of the middle ages. Geoffrey chaucer was born in london sometime between 40 and 44 to john chaucer and agnes copton. In 57 he became a public servant to countess elizabeth of ulster and continued in. Chaucers first major work was the book of the duchess, an elegy for the first wife of his patron john of gaunt. His the canterbury tales ranks as one of the greatest poetic works in english. Poet geoffrey chaucer was born circa 40 in london, england. Through his fathers connections, geoffrey held several positions early in his life. Called the father of english poetry, geoffrey chaucer is ranked as one of the greatest poets of the late middle ages c. He was also the first poet to be buried in poets corner of westminster abbey. Chaucer grew up in close contact with the royal family.

In 57 he became a public servant to countess elizabeth of ulster and continued in that capacity with the british court throughout. Geoffrey chaucer diplomat and civil servant britannica. Geoffrey chaucer biography facts, childhood, family life. Geoffrey chaucer is the most famous writer of medieval england. Through his fathers connections, geoffrey held several positions early in his life, serving as a noblewomans page, a courtier, a diplomat, a civil servant, and a.

Widely considered the greatest english poet of the middle ages, he is best known for the canterbury tales. During the decade of the 70s, chaucer was at various times on diplomatic missions in flanders, france, and italy. We do not know any details of his early life and education. From the foulmouthed miller to the prim prioress, only chaucer could have dreamed up a group as diverse as the canterbury pilgrims. It was during these years that chaucer began working on his most famous text, the canterbury tales. Geoffrey chaucer quotes author of the canterbury tales.