Gonzalo de Céspedes y Meneses

Gonzalo de Céspedes y Meneses (1585? - January 27, 1638), Spanish novelist, was born at Madrid about 1585.

Related Topics:
1585 - January 27 - 1638 - Spanish - Novelist - Madrid

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Nothing positive is known of him before the publication of his celebrated romance, the Poema trágico del español Gerardo, y desengaño del amor lascivo (1615-1617); there is evidence that he had been sentenced to eight years at the galleys previous to January 1, 1620, and that the penalty had been remitted; but the nature of his offence is not stated. His treatment of political questions in the Historia apologética en los sucesos del reyno de Aragon, y su ciudad de Zaragoza, años de 91 y 92 (1622), having led to the confiscation of the book, Céspedes took up his residence at Zaragoza and Lisbon.

Related Topics:
January 1 - 1620 - Zaragoza - Lisbon

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While in exile he issued a collection of short stories entitled Historias peregrinas y exemplares (1623), the unfinished romance Variafortuna del soldado Píndaro (1626), and the first part of his Historia de Felipe IV. (1631), a fulsome eulogy which was rewarded by the author's appointment as official historiographer to the Spanish king.

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His novels, though written in a ponderous, affected style, display considerable imagination and insight into character. The Poema trágico has been utilized by Fletcher in The Spanish Curate and in The Maid of the Mill.

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The Historias peregrinas has been reprinted (1906) with a valuable introduction by Emilio Cotarelo y Mori.

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