David Wallace studied at York and Cambridge. Currently Judith Rodin Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania, he has held visiting positions at Jerusalem, Melbourne, London, and Princeton. He has served as President of the New Chaucer Society, is currently Second Vice President of the Medieval Academy of America, and has made a series of documentaries for BBC Radio 3. He most recently published Europe: A Literary History, 1348-1418 (2016) and Strong Women (2012).

"The New Introduction covers a great deal of territory in a lucid, witty presentation of Chaucer's life, works, and influence. Its major work, however, has been to normalize Chaucer's status as a global poet." --Speculum

"This smart and attractive little book is a very quick read, and Wallace's conversational style has warm appeal." -- Laura Ashe, Times Literary Supplement

"Along with its other mind-broadening features, this introduction offers a timely reminder that Chaucer benefited from a Europe-wide perspective and continues to evoke creative responses across cultures and borders." - Nick Havely, University of York

"A thoroughly fresh engagement...which gives us Chaucer as a writer of his moment wide open to the future and the world." - Paul Strohm, author of The Poet's Tale

"Wallace (Europe: A Literary History, 1348-1418), an English professor at the University of Pennsylvania, clearly has great affection and admiration for his subject, and he conveys that delight to the reader." --Publishers Weekly

"Showing a solid command of history, Wallace provides fascinating analyses of Chaucer's personal and literary evolution. He is a master of his subject, insightful and provocative throughout." - KIRKUS

"Prof. Wallace has produced a superb introduction: an adroit, authoritative, fresh, energetic delight." --The New English Review