Miguel de Cervantes

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547–1616) was a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright. After a turbulent life that included military service, captivity in Algiers, and years of financial struggle, he published Don Quixote in two parts (1605 and 1615). The novel follows the deluded knight-errant Alonso Quijano and his pragmatic squire Sancho Panza, blending comedy, realism, and profound insight into human nature. Don Quixote is celebrated as the first modern novel for its complex characters, metafictional play, and social commentary. Cervantes also wrote Exemplary Novels and other works, but his legacy rests on this singular achievement, which has influenced countless writers and remains a cornerstone of world literature.