Leopoldo Alas, also known by his pen name Clarín, was a Spanish novelist and literary critic born on April 25, 1852, in Oviedo, Spain. He is best known for his novel La Regenta, published in 1884, which is considered one of the masterpieces of Spanish literature. His works often explored themes of social criticism and the complexities of human nature. In addition to his fiction, Alas was a prominent critic of the literary scene in Spain during the late 19th century. He contributed to various publications and was an advocate for realism in literature. Leopoldo Alas passed away on June 13, 1916, leaving a significant impact on Spanish literature.