Benito Pérez Galdós

Benito Pérez Galdós (1843-1920) was a Spanish novelist, playwright, and chronicler, considered one of the foremost representatives of Spanish literary realism and a key figure in 19th-century Spanish-language literature. He was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and moved to Madrid in 1862, where he developed most of his literary career. His most extensive and ambitious work is the "Episodios Nacionales" (National Episodes), a collection of 46 historical novels that narrate the history of Spain from the Peninsular War to the Restoration. He is also known for his "contemporary Spanish novels," among which "Fortunata y Jacinta," "Misericordia," and "Doña Perfecta" stand out, offering a detailed and critical portrait of Spanish society of his time.