Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra: A Literary Journey

Early Life and Education

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the renowned writer and glory of Spanish letters, was born on September 29, 1547, in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. He was the son of surgeon Rodrigo de Cervantes and Leonor de Cortinas.

When he was four years old, his family moved to Valladolid, a city where the Royal Court of Spain, under Philip II, was then settled. In 1561, the court relocated to Madrid, and Cervantes' family also moved there.

Little is known about Miguel's early educational experiences during his childhood and adolescence. However, it is believed he attended what we would now call a university. It is known that he attended a Jesuit school, though the specific city is unknown; it is suspected to have been during his stay in Valladolid. In Madrid, his teacher was Juan López de Hoyos, a prominent writer of the time.

Military Service and Captivity

At just over 20 years old, Cervantes traveled to Rome to serve Cardinal Acquaviva. He toured Italy and subsequently joined the Spanish navy. In 1571, he participated heroically in the Battle of Lepanto, where he sustained injuries that left his left hand permanently maimed, earning him the nickname "the one-armed man of Lepanto."

On September 26, 1575, while returning to Spain, pirates attacked his ship at the mouth of the Rhône River. They captured him and took him to Algiers, where he endured five years of captivity.

Cervantes regained his freedom after Trinitarian friars paid his ransom.

Literary Beginnings and Struggles

On September 19, 1580, he returned to his family, finding them in ruins. By then, he was 37 years old, and his military career was also ruined. He then sought to excel in literature, publishing his first novel, La Galatea (1585), and campaigning unsuccessfully to succeed in theater. Lacking financial means, he took on various roles, including a tax collector in Andalusia, which eventually led to his imprisonment.

Later Works and Legacy

In 1605, he published the first part of his famous book, Don Quixote, though its initial success was short-lived. In 1606, he returned to Madrid. There, he dedicated himself to literature, driven by economic necessity.

In his final years, he published several notable works, including:

• Journey to Parnassus (1614)
• Eight Comedies and Eight Interludes (1615)
• The second part of Don Quixote (1615)

Despite the literary success of his works, he continued to face economic hardship. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra died in Madrid on April 23, 1616, and was buried in the Convent of Charity.