Benito Pérez Galdós was a prominent Spanish novelist and playwright born on May 10, 1843, in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. He is best known for his realistic novels that depict Spanish society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Galdós's works often explore themes of social change, politics, and human nature, making him a key figure in the literary movement known as Realism. Throughout his career, Galdós wrote over 30 novels, including the famous Fortunata y Jacinta and the Episodios Nacionales series, which chronicles Spanish history. He was also involved in politics and was a member of the Spanish parliament. Galdós passed away on January 4, 1920, leaving a lasting impact on Spanish literature.