Geoffrey Chaucer is often called the father of English literature, but this acclaimed biography reveals him as a great European writer and thinker. Uncovering important new information about Chaucer鈥檚 travels, private life, and the circulation of his writings, Marion Turner reconstructs in unprecedented detail the cosmopolitan world of Chaucer鈥檚 adventurous life, focusing on the places and spaces that fired his imagination. From the wharves of London to the frescoed chapels of Florence, the book recounts Chaucer鈥檚 experiences as a prisoner of war in France, as a father visiting his daughter鈥檚 nunnery, as a member of a chaotic Parliament, and as a diplomat in Milan. At the same time, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of Chaucer鈥檚 writings. The result is a landmark biography and a fresh account of the extraordinary story of how a wine merchant鈥檚 son became the poet of The Canterbury Tales.
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About the Author
Marion Turner is professor of English at Jesus College, University of Oxford.