Philippa Gregory
The best-selling author reveals her - appropriately historical - favourite line in all literature...
"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights and that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Apart from the language which is so fabulous, this is the first enshrining into a government document the right of people to pursue their happiness.
It’s not just that they must be free to live, it’s not just that they must be free, but that they must be allowed to pursue happiness; it’s the Declaration of American Independence and it comes out of the great 18th century European enlightenment. And it’s a magnificent gift to the world.
