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Famous People In Literature

Geofrey Chaucer (#101)

In 14th century England, common people spoke in different forms of English while the nobility used French and Latin for communication. Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to begin using English, both in poetry and prose. The greatest poet of the pre-Shakespearian period, he is rightfully considered “the father of English poetry.” [7 minutes] Closed Captioning

Information For Teachers

Grade Levels
9-12
Curricular Areas
Literacy & Languages
Series Length
12 episodes
Average Episode Length
7 minutes
Record Rights
Recording/duplication allowed as long as IPTV broadcasts the series. If you miss the broadcast, contact your AEA for copies.

Visit the IPTV Education website to access timely, relevant resources for your classroom.

Series Description: Their titles include novelist, playwright, poet and essayist. But they are also known as social activist, pacifist, reformer, human rights activist and humorist. Famous People in Literature examines literary giants who left a legacy of works that remain required reading in the classroom. Their writings were often a vivid depiction of everyday life and attitudes of the era. Each program in the series explores the most historic developments, significant contributions, important benchmarks and major turning points during these incredible lives.

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All Upcoming Episodes

  • Victor Hugo (#104)

    Victor Hugo was not only a great writer, poet and playwright; he was also a political activist. He was not beyond critiquing the French King in his plays. And his support of democratic reforms... [7 minutes] Closed Captioning

  • Jonathan Swift (#109)

    Government leaders paid attention to his political views and private life. He published almost all his works under fake names. Nevertheless, his style was always recognizable and his reputation as a... [7 minutes] Closed Captioning

  • Leo Tolstoy (#110)

    Tolstoy was a complicated man. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest Russian writers for his most celebrated novels—War and Peace and Anna Karenina. But he was also a leading religious... [7 minutes] Closed Captioning

Past Episodes

These episodes of Famous People In Literature aired in the last few months on Iowa Public Television.

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