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Biography Don Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra
It is not known for certain the exact date of his birth, but since according to Spanish tradition the Christening was carried through very closely after the birth, there is no doubt that his birthday was in 1547. The actual date of the Christening was October 9th, 1547 at the city of Alcala de Henares. Since then, little is known of his childhood, other than he lived with his family in Valladolid, Madrid, and other Andalusian cities. Finally, they settled in Madrid, and afterwards, he became the attendant to the Cardinal Acquaviva in Italy in 1569 .
Later on, Cervantes enlisted in to armed forces for the naval Battle of Lepanto (it took place on the 7th of December of 1571) where he was injured. This meant the handicap of his left hand, but he still continued as a soldier, on his voyage returning to Spain 1575 in the galley Sun, he fell prisoner of the Turks when it was over powered. The next five years, Cervantes is a prisoner of war in Algiers, from where he tried to escape four times jeopardizing his life. Finally the Trinitarian fathers achieved his release from capIn 1584, a daughter out of wedlock is born to him, her name was Isabel, and that same years he marries Catalina of Salazar. He publishes the novel La Galatea, and opens several of his comedies without any success. Cervantes becomes a public official and travels through Andalusia collecting rents, and gathering goods for the then Invincible Armada (a.k.a. the Spanish Armada). These were tasks he did not enjoy in any way, since the numbers and administration were not his trade.
Thirteen years later, Cervantes is thrown into jail in Seville, where he was held for three months, and being that his case was too complicated; he then is set free before going to trial. He settles in Valladolid in 1604, and obtains the rights to publish El Quijote (El Quixote), which first edition hits the streets a year later. Due to some uncertain matters, Cervantes lands once again in jail, this time with his sister and daughter as well, but not much later all three are absolved from all charges. By 1608, Cervantes and his family settle once again in Madrid. By this time, Cervantes pours himself into his literary works and enters a pious brotherhood. Even though by now, he is famous both within and without, Cervantes leads a simple and poor life. There exists the anecdote when he was visited by a French delegation from the embassy, and they asked puzzled \"And this man is not rich and supported from the public coffers?\"
The novel is his truly authentic epitome. Occupying a very relevant place in world literature, Cervantes exceptional and humorous narratives showcase his time period. Within the prominent novels, these deserve careful attention by the reader: La Galatea (1585). Other novels from the 1613 period would be: La Gitanilla (The Gypsy Girl); El Amante Liberal (The Liberal Lover); Rinconete y Cortadillo--here Cervantes shows us his weakness for witty villains--; La Señora Cordelia (Mrs. Cordelia); La Española Inglesa (The English Spanish Lady); El Licenciado Vidriera (The Bachelor Vidriera); La Fuerza de la Sangre (The Strength of Blood); El Celoso Extremeñ (The Jealous Extemeñ); El Casamiento Engañoso (The Deceptive Wedding); Coloquio de los Perros (The Talking Dogs); Pesiles y Segismunda (The Travails of Persiles and Sigismunda). This last one was published in 1617. The latter works especially are the best testimonials, not only of the surviving Greek themes, but also of the forms and ideals of the Spanish novel of the Second Renaissance.
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