Jacinto Benavente

Jacinto Benavente (1866-1954) was a foremost Spanish dramatist of the 20th century, born in Madrid, who revolutionized Spanish theater by introducing social criticism through prose comedies and realistic dialogue, moving away from melodrama. He authored over 150 plays, with notable works including La malquerida and Señora ama, and was awarded the 1922 Nobel Prize in Literature for continuing Spain's dramatic traditions. A liberal monarchist, he supported Francoist Spain reluctantly and remains best known for his masterpiece Los intereses creados.