Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London in about 1342, and is known as 'the father of English Literature'. He rose in royal employment to become a knight of the shire for Kent and a justice of the peace, and was well-read in several languages ​​and on many topics, such as astronomy, medicine, physics and alchemy. His works include The Canterbury Tales , Troilus and Criseyde and The Parliament of Fowles . He died in 1400 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.