List of author from Geoffrey Chaucer to Shakespeare?

It's a bit tricky to give a definitive list of every author between Chaucer and Shakespeare, as literary history isn't a perfect linear progression. There are a lot of writers who lived in that period but are less well-known today. However, here's a list of some notable authors who wrote in English between Chaucer's time (late 14th century) and Shakespeare's (late 16th - early 17th century), organized roughly by period:

Late 14th and 15th Century:

* John Gower: Contemporary of Chaucer, known for "Confessio Amantis" and other works.

* Thomas Hoccleve: Wrote moral and political poems, known for "The Regiment of Princes."

* John Lydgate: Prolific writer, known for "Troy Book," "The Fall of Princes," and devotional works.

* William Caxton: Introduced the printing press to England, famous for translating and printing works like "The Canterbury Tales."

* Sir Thomas Malory: Author of the prose "Le Morte d'Arthur," a foundational text of Arthurian legend.

16th Century:

* Sir Thomas More: Scholar, lawyer, and humanist, known for his "Utopia."

* Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey: Introduced blank verse into English poetry, known for his sonnets and translations.

* Sir Thomas Wyatt: Also important for introducing the sonnet form to English, known for his lyrics and translations.

* Edmund Spenser: Author of "The Faerie Queene," one of the most important works of English Renaissance literature.

* Christopher Marlowe: Playwright, known for "Doctor Faustus," "Tamburlaine the Great," and "The Jew of Malta."

* John Lyly: Playwright, known for his "Euphues" and for his use of a highly artificial style.

* Robert Greene: Playwright and novelist, known for his "Pandosto" (which Shakespeare adapted into "The Winter's Tale").

* Thomas Kyd: Playwright, known for "The Spanish Tragedy," a revenge tragedy that influenced Shakespeare.

Late 16th/Early 17th Century:

* Ben Jonson: Playwright and poet, known for his comedies like "Volpone" and his "Epigrams."

* Francis Bacon: Philosopher and essayist, known for his "Essays" and his scientific work.

* John Donne: Metaphysical poet, known for his intricate and intellectual style.

This is not an exhaustive list, and there were many other writers during this period. This list highlights some of the most important and influential figures in English literature, paving the way for Shakespeare's own genius.