Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet, writer, and philosopher, renowned for his seminal work 'The Canterbury Tales'. Born in 1343, Chaucer lived through the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, serving in various roles such as a courtier, diplomat, and civil servant. His writings reflect the social and cultural shifts of his era.
Source: The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer: To which are Added an Essay on His Language and Versification, and an Introductory Discourse, Togeher with Notes and a Glossary