Dictionary.net

A distinguished Spanish statesman, satirist, and historian; born in the palace of the Alhambra at Granada, 1503; died at Valladolid, 1575. Intended originally for the Church, he entered the army instead, and rose high in public life. His chief works are, first, the famous satiric romance "Little Lazarus of Tormes" (1553, and afterward many editions), which was translated into a number of languages (English by Blakeston, 1670), provoked many imitations, and created that new department in Spanish literature which finally produced "Gil Blas"; and second, the "War of Granada" (first complete edition, 1776). ("Works", Vols. iii., xxi., xxxii., xxxvi., of Rivadeneyra's "Library of Spanish Authors".)