Miguel de Cervantes
1547 – 1616 Spanish writer
The author of Don Quixote, often called the first modern novel.
- Religion
- Catholic; a soldier who was held captive for years by Barbary corsairs.
- Affiliations
- None. Soldier and tax collector before his literary fame.
Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, the tale of a deluded knight and his earthy squire that mixed comedy, realism, and deep humanity. It is widely regarded as the first modern novel and a foundation of Western fiction. His influence runs through the entire novel tradition.