Miguel Hernández

Miguel Hernández, born on October thirtieth, nineteen ten, was a remarkable Spanish poet and playwright whose work is deeply intertwined with the cultural movements of the Generation of '27 and the Generation of '36. His upbringing in a family of limited means posed significant challenges, particularly as he faced physical abuse from his father for his passion for literature. This tumultuous environment forced Hernández to become self-taught, as he was removed from formal education after completing primary school.

During his formative years, Hernández formed a close friendship with Ramón Sijé, a well-educated peer who introduced him to a world of literature through the lending of books. This friendship would later take a poignant turn, as Sijé's untimely death inspired Hernández to pen his most celebrated work, the poem 'Elegy'.

Hernández's life was tragically cut short when he succumbed to tuberculosis while imprisoned due to his fervent support for the Republican cause during the Spanish Civil War. His final collection, 'Cancionero y romancero de ausencias', was published posthumously and is revered as one of the finest contributions to Spanish poetry in the twentieth century. This collection includes poems written under dire conditions in prison, often on scraps of toilet paper or in letters to his wife, showcasing his indomitable spirit and artistic genius.