Dictionary.net

A Spanish scholar, historian, and poet; born at Santander, 1856. He is professor of Spanish literature at the University of Madrid, and one of the most brilliant writers of modern Spain. His "History of Spanish Heterodoxy" (3 vols., 1880-82), in which he defended the Inquisition, and declared against modern liberalism and science, has excited much discussion. Other prose works are: "History of Aesthetic Ideas in Spain" (1884-91); "Calderon and his Plays" (3d ed. 1885); "Spanish Science" (3d ed. 1887-89). His best poetry is contained in "Odes, Epistles, and Tragedies" (1883). His last work is "Origin of the Novel" (1905).