Miguel de Cervantes was born on 29 September 1547 in Alcalá de Henares. A Spanish novelist, poet and playwright, Cervantes is best known for Don Quixote, the story of an elderly gentleman who goes out as a knight after reading too many chivalric romances. The two parts appeared in 1605 and 1615 and are often called the first modern novel. Cervantes had lived an eventful life as a soldier, taking part in the battle of Lepanto in 1571, where he was wounded, and being held captive in Algiers for five years. He also wrote the Exemplary Novels, plays and poems, but he struggled with money for most of his life. He died in Madrid on almost the same day as Shakespeare.
Before and after
- from 10 July 1546 to 23 May 1547Schmalkaldic War
- 14 December 1546Birth of Tycho Brahe
- from 1547 to 1721Tsardom of Russia
- 28 January 1547Death of Henry VIII of England
- 29 September 1547Birth of Miguel de Cervantes
- 2 December 1547Death of Hernán Cortés
- January 1548Birth of Giordano Bruno
- 1550Construction of Süleymaniye Mosque
- 1550Founding of Concepción
More in Art, literature & culture
- 1 January 1519Origins of Reformed Christianity
- 1605Publication of Don Quixote
- 1652Origins of Quakers
- from 1660 to 1725Rise of Classicism
- from c. 1730s to 1780sRise of Rococo
- 1759Construction of British Museum
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 16th century.