UCLA faculty experts advisory: Valentine's Day may not be what it seems

UCLA has an expert who can explain the origin and significance of Valentine's Day.

 

Henry Ansgar Kelly, distinguished research professor of English, looks at the intersection of English literature, religion and culture in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including holidays, the devil, incest, the Inquisition, Latin and Shakespeare.

 

After investigating the history of Valentine's Day, Kelly found that the holiday was originally intended to be celebrated on May 3 — not Feb. 14. And it wasn't until the 14th century that the holiday become associated with romance, primarily due to the work of English author Geoffrey Chaucer. For more: http://ucla.in/Vg812k.

 

Media contact:

Meg Sullivan | 310-825-1046 | msullivan@support.ucla.edu