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 portrayal of Spanish society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Galdós wrote over 30 novels, with his most famous works including the Episodios Nacionales series, which chronicles Spanish history through the eyes of fictional characters. Galdós was a key figure in the Spanish literary movement known as Realism, which aimed to depict everyday life and social issues. His writing often explored themes of politics, religion, and the struggles of the common people. He passed away on January 4, 1920, leaving a lasting impact on Spanish literature.