Francisco de Quevedo

Francisco de Quevedo (1580-1645) was a leading figure of the Spanish Golden Age, known for his biting satire, philosophical poetry, and political writings. Born in Madrid to a noble family, he studied at the University of Alcalá and became a prolific author, producing works that ranged from love sonnets to scathing critiques of society. His most famous prose work, "El Buscón" (published in 1626 as "Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper"), is a classic picaresque novel that follows the misadventures of a rogue named Pablos. Quevedo also served as a secretary to the Duke of Osuna and was briefly imprisoned for his political allegories. His literary legacy endures for his linguistic inventiveness and unflinching portrayal of human folly, influencing generations of Spanish and European writers.