Collection
History's Greatest Writers
Introduction
Writers have often served as the motors, trailblazers and greatest commentators of history, their lives and the worlds or concerns depicted by their words providing a fascinating insight into different periods, and changing environments. In some cases, writers have even invented new frameworks of thought or languages, which still resonate today. For instance, Herodotus, the father of history, whose 5th century account of the Persian Wars has shaped the way that history is told. Or Geoffrey Chaucer, the founding father of English literature, whose Canterbury Tales hold a remarkable mirror up to the social hierarchies of 14th century England, and the Hundred Years’ War. Or George Orwell, whose exploration of individualism and surveillance in ‘Nineteen Eighty Four’ serves even now as a touchstone of political discourse.
In this curated playlist, Tom and Dominic discuss a plethora of literary titans and the captivating, sometimes tragic and frequently controversial lives that they lead.
