Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, a notable figure in Spanish literature, was born in Seville on February 17, 1836. His family hailed from Flanders, with the surname Bécquer originating as Becker. Despite losing both parents at a tender age, Bécquer's passion for art and literature blossomed, setting the stage for his journey to Madrid in search of a literary career.

Early Life and Education

The Bécquer family traced its roots back to Flanders, with the name Becker evolving into Bécquer over the years. Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer was born into a family rich in artistic legacy; his father, José María Domínguez Insausti, was a painter. The young Bécquer faced early hardships when his father passed away just before his fifth birthday, followed by his mother’s death four years later. Left orphaned, he and his seven siblings were cared for by relatives, particularly his mother’s uncle, Don Juan de Vargas. Under his guardianship, Bécquer enrolled in the Colegio de San Telmo to pursue a career as a sea pilot. Unfortunately, the closure of the school led him to reside with his godmother, Doña Manuela Monchay, where he began studying painting under the renowned Sevillian artist Antonio Cabral Bejarano. Amidst these artistic pursuits, Bécquer’s love for literature flourished, influenced by the works of Horace and the Spanish Romantic José Zorrilla found in his godmother’s library.

Transition to Writing

While under the tutelage of his uncle Joaquín Domínguez Bécquer, Gustavo’s interest in literature deepened. Despite familial expectations to excel in painting, Bécquer felt the pull of literary ambition. In 1854, defying his godmother's advice, he ventured to Madrid to pursue a career as a writer. However, life in Madrid was fraught with challenges. The vibrant city offered limited happiness, and Bécquer soon faced financial difficulties. His health began to decline due to tuberculosis, a condition that would ultimately claim his life. With dwindling funds, he depended on the kindness of Doña Soledad, who allowed him to stay at her boarding house without paying rent. During these early struggles, Bécquer collaborated with friends on translations and wrote original dramas and zarzuelas, a genre of Spanish musical comedy. Yet, these endeavors often lacked financial reward and frequently went unrecognized, leaving Bécquer in search of steadier income.

Publishing and Personal Life

In 1858, Bécquer began to publish "legends" in Madrid newspapers, marking the start of his literary presence. Around this time, he met Julia Espín, a captivating young woman who pursued an operatic career. Though his affection for her remained unreciprocated, she inspired numerous poems in his collection, The Rhymes. That same year, he faced his first major health crisis. Bécquer's creative output included a poem titled “Imitación de Byron” (“Imitation of Byron”), one of several entries from The Rhymes that appeared during his lifetime.

By 1860, Bécquer's serialized work, Letters to an Unknown Woman, gained readership. He soon married Casta Esteban Navarro, the daughter of his doctor, a union that resulted in two sons. Bécquer’s brother, Valeriano, also an accomplished painter, joined his family in Madrid with his own children. The Bécquer family often retreated to Soria, where Casta’s father owned a home. Between 1863 and 1864, Bécquer spent time at the monastery of Veruela, penning the letters for From My Cell. He and Valeriano traveled extensively across Spain, with Valeriano capturing scenes on canvas while Bécquer gathered notes for his writings and contributed articles to newspapers.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1864, Bécquer secured a higher-paying civil-service position, but political upheaval led to his dismissal after a year. Nevertheless, a subsequent change in government restored him to his post, which he held until the...