Mariano José de Larra (1809 - 1837)

Mariano José de Larra was a Spanish romantic writer best known for his numerous essays, as well as his infamous suicide. Larra's works were often satirical and critical of nineteenth-century Spanish society, and focused on both the politics and customs of his time. Larra was essentially a journalist, and the increased liberty of the press after the death of Ferdinand VII gave his caustic talent an ampler field. He became famous under the pseudonyms of Juan Pérez de Munguía and Fígaro which he used in El Pobrecito Hablador and La Revista Española respectively.