Gregorio Mayans y Siscar
Vida de Cervantes
"Vida de Cervantes" by Gregorio Mayans y Siscar is a biographical account written in the 18th century. This work provides an in-depth look at the life and legacy of the renowned Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, best known for his masterpiece "Don Quijote de la Mancha." The text aims to shed light on Cervantes's contributions to literature, explore his personal history, and address the neglect shown to his biography prior to this publication. The opening of "Vida de Cervantes" sets the stage for a comprehensive examination of Cervantes’s life, emphasizing the need for an authoritative biography of such an influential figure in literature. Mayans initiates his narrative by discussing Cervantes's obscured beginnings and the challenges he faced, such as his time as a soldier and eventual captivity, which profoundly influenced his writing. The author notes that despite Cervantes's significant impact, his life remained inadequately documented until Mayans took on the task, aiming to honor Cervantes and rectify the injustices against his memory. This biographer details early misconceptions about Cervantes's birthplace and upbringing while foregrounding the esteem and popularity that have rightly surrounded his works.