The 28 most representative Authors of romanticism

“Romanticism” is considered to be the cultural movement that took place at the end of the XNUMXth century in the United Kingdom and Germany, which had the purpose of fighting against neoclassicism and rationalism that had been imposed in artistic expression, in order to prioritize feelings above the rest.

This movement not only had great repercussion in all European countries, but also reached the American continent where it was received with open arms and adopted by many artists of the literature, painting and music of the time. Therefore, there is a large number and variety of authors of romanticism.

The literary movement Romanticism

It can be said that the so-called Romanticism is a cultural movement. It appeared for the first time at the end of the XNUMXth century, in order to break with what Neoclassicism mentioned and opt for a defense towards feelings and fantasy.

In the seventeenth century it appeared for the first time in England, although to be translated as something unreal. On the other hand, in Germany it was translated as medieval. Each country gave it a certain meaning but it is true that despite the differences at first, it was the first cultural movement that invaded all of Europe. It originated in France, as well as Spain, Germany or the United Kingdom for break with established ideas and seek freedom.

It is said that later on Romanticism could be defined as that way of feeling in a much more intense way, towards oneself or towards nature. Its development in Spain was a little later as well as brief, but intense. Its great heyday was between the years 1800 and 1850.

Characteristics of Romanticism:

• They defended liberalism as well as unfinished or imperfect work.
• There was more value for that idea that was different than not for the common.
• Creativity reigned before imitation.
• Emphasizes the personal and subjectivism.
• In the works that feeling towards the mysterious or melancholic will be perceived.
• The mind of the romantic will evade the society in which he has lived.

What are the authors of romanticism?

Gustavo Adolfo Becquer

Poet and storyteller born in Spain on February 17, 1836 and who died of tuberculosis on December 22, 1870. His father was a painter (José Domínguez Insausti) and his mother Joaquina Bastida Vargas.

Gustavo was known in life, but it was not until his death that his works became famous. Among the most prominent are those found in "Rhymes and Legends”, Since they are the object of study of Spanish-speaking literature.

Although he was a writer of certain success in life, without a doubt, all his great recognitions arose after his death. The best known work is 'Rhymes and Legends'. It is a set of stories that have come together to give life to one of the great books of our literature. From a very young age, he opted for drawing like his brother. He was orphaned very young and went to live with an aunt. Although this fact would mark his personality that always tended to pessimism. The legends, the theater and other articles will also always remain in the memory of his great work.

Related article:

30 phrases by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer that will make you feel special

Jose de Espronceda

Spanish poet considered the most representative of the romantic era in Spain. He was born on March 25, 1808 and died at the age of 34 in 1842 from diphtheria. His teacher was the renowned poet Alberto Lista.

Among his works we find the incomplete novel "El Palayo" and another novel called "Sancho Saldaña". However, his poems had more impact after launching a volume in 1840 in which the typical themes of romanticism were treated; the most prominent are "The student of Salamanca" and "El Diablo Mundo", as well as "Canto a Teresa" and the "Canción del pirata".

Mariano Jose de Larra

He is also one of the most prominent Spanish authors of romanticism, along with Bécquer and Espronceda. He was born in 1809 and died in 1837, which was a writer, politician and journalist. The works of Mariano José de Larra were:

• Macias.
• The doncel of Don Enrique the Sorrowful.
• Count Fernán González and the exemption of Castilla.

He wrote more than 200 articles, thus promoting the essay genre. It should be mentioned that sometimes he also published under certain pseudonyms such as: Figaro, Duende or Bachelor. Spain would be the central axis of his work, in a satirical way. Together with Espronceda or Bécquer, he is another of the most important figures of Romanticism.

Lord bryron

One of the most representative authors of modernism worldwide and in English culture, since he is an English poet who, in addition to practicing poetry, was also considered a celebrity in his time due to his attractiveness and personality. He was born in 1788 in London and died in Greece in 1824.

He was the author of a large number of works, such as Idle Hours, The Bride of Abydos, The Giaour, Lara, Hebrew Melodies, The Siege of Corinth, Cain, The Bronze Age, Don Juan, among others.

Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo is one of the best known poets, novelists and playwrights of the timeVictor, of French origin, was born in 1802 in Paris and died in 1885 in the same city. In addition, he was also a politician and an influential character at the time.

His works are very varied due to all the areas where the artist developed, such as:

As a novelist he published nine works (such as Bug-Jargal, Ninety-Three, Our Lady of Paris, The Sea Workers and The Man Who Laughs); while as a poet he published more than 15 works, such as "The tomb and the rose" and "Who loves does not live."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann was a playwright, novelist, poet and scientist born in Germany in 1749, who died of a heart attack at age 82 in 1832. This is also one of the most representative of the romanticism movement and of Germany, since the organism that is in charge of transmitting the culture of this country around the world, takes the surname Goethe as its name.

On the other hand, his works served as inspiration to many other artists. Among them, one of the most prominent is "Wilhelm Meister", although it is also possible to find many others such as "Faust" and "Poetry and Truth"; while he was also the author of the "Theory of Colors."

George Isaacs

Novelist and poet from Colombia, who was born in 1837 and died of malaria in 1895. He is one of the authors of Latin American romanticism, which published two works that made him popular. The first is the book of poems published in 1864; while the second is the novel María, which he published in 1867 and which has translations in more than thirty languages.

Esteban Echeverria

Also one of the Latin American authors of the movement. Esteban Echeverría was a Argentine poet and writer born in 1805, who died of Leukemia in 1851. This was part of the well-known "Generation of 37".

His main works are "The slaughterhouse"(First Argentine story where realism is used),"Socialist Dogma"(Served to create the constitution of 1853) and"The Captive".

Mary Shelley

Known in different areas due to her contributions as a British philosopher, playwright, storyteller and essayist. He was born in London in 1791 and died in 1851 from a brain tumor.

Among his best works it is possible to find Poetics by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Falkner, Lodore, The Last Man, Posthumous Poems by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mathilda, among others.

José Mármol

Again among Latin Americans we find a representative author such as José Mármol, an Argentine who was born in 1817 and died in 1871, who was a politician, storyteller, journalist and poet of the time and belonged to the movement.

All the works of romanticism José's most prominent are: as a poet, the book “Cantos del peregrino” and “Poesías” or “Harmonías”; while in the theater he stood out for “El cruzado” and “El poeta”.

Alexandre Dumas

Also known as Alexander Dumas, he is a playwright and novelist of French origin, who was born in 1802 and died in 1870 due to a stroke. His works are quite varied since he performed in different genres such as short, children's, horror, historical novels, Among others.

We can select among all of them "An unborn soul", "A trip to the Moon", "The King of Bowling", "The three musketeers", "The Count of Montecristo", "The Count of Hermann" and "Cristina ”.

Giacomo Leopardi

He is one of the leading authors of romanticism in Italy, born in that territory in 1798 and died of cholera in 1837 at the age of 38. Giacomo worked as a philosopher, scholar, poet, and philologist.

His most important work in poetry was the book "Canzoni" published in 1824; although the second compilation of his poetry called "Versi", which was published in 1826, also stands out.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Like Lord Bryan and William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) is one of the most representative literary artists in England in the Romantic era and today; which was a critic, poet, philosopher and great friend of Wordsworth.

In poetry he stood out with "Lyrical Ballands", in which he is "The Nightingale"And" Rhyme of the old sailor. " Also Christabel and "Conversation poems"; while he also stood out in other genres such as theater, prose and a work called "Biographia literaria" where he demonstrated his skills in different branches.

Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand

A diplomat, writer and politician of French origin who was born in 1768 and died in 1848, which was the Viscount of Chateaubriand. According to experts, he is one of the founders of the movement in France, which places him among the leading authors of Romanticism.

Among his works we find Atalá, René, Les Martyrs, Essai sur les révolutions, Mémoires d'outr-tombe and Vie de Rancé.

Walter Scott

A Scottish writer and poet who was noted for his contribution to the british romanticism, which also managed to publicize his works in many parts of the world and thereby gain international recognition; something not too common for the time.

Although it was very popular in its time, today it is not one of the most recognized, but it still has classics that are impossible to forget. Among them we find The Heart of Midlothian ó Ivanhoe, For example.

William Wordsworth

Besides being one of the most recognized authors of the movement, his main contribution was in the genre of poetry; reason why it is considered one of the most important and representative poets of English romanticism. William Wordsworth was born in 1770 and passed away in 1850 at the age of 80.

His works stand out for certain characteristics, such as the context, characters, themes, language, among others; which can be seen in his most popular works such as The Solitary Reaper, The Prelude, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, The Tables Turned and many more.

William Blake

It was about an English painter and poet who was born in London in 1757 and died in 1827, which was unknown in his time but which over the years gained greater recognition; being considered today among the best British artists.

His poetic works used to be illustrated, which did not grant him the deserved recognition; until today we can unify both arts to understand and appreciate his works with different eyes. Among his illuminated books we get All Religions are One, among the unenlightened is "Poetical Sketches"And finally, in the illustrated ones we find"Night thoughts", Which was written by Edward Young.

Oscar wild

An Irish poet, writer and playwright, who was born in 1854 and died in 1900 at the age of 46. He used the pillars of romanticism to go for other branches, such as aestheticism; And besides, he also had a double life due to his sexual preferences.

Among his most outstanding works we find the famous historical novel "The portrait of Dorian Gray", "The importance of being called Ernesto" and "The Ideal Husband", and his latest publications "De profundis" and "The Balld of Reading", which wrote in jail.

John Keats

He was born in London in 1795 and died in Rome in 1821, which was a British poet who is among the most representative authors of romanticism. Despite only living 25 years, he contributed a great deal of important works for English literature, where he wrote the best shortly before his death from tuberculosis.

Among his works we find "Endymion: a poetic romance", "Hyperion", "The Bright Star", "Lamia and other poems", among others.

Edgar Allan Poe

One of the best known and popular authors of romanticism. Edgar Allan poe was an American writer, critic, poet, and journalist. Famous for his contributions to short stories, gothic novels, horror stories, and detective stories.

His works are really varied, among which are The black cat, The well, The pendulum, The crimes of Rue Morge, THE oval portrait, The tell-tale heart, among others.

Emily Brontë

British writer (1818-1848) recognized for her work "Wuthering Heights", which is part of the classics of English literature. She used pseudonyms with her sisters to hide their gender, since at that time it was much more difficult for women to recognize their work.

Friedrich Schiller

A philosopher, playwright, poet, and historian born in Germany in 1759, who died of Tuberculosis in 1805 at the age of 45. It's one of the most popular playwrights in the country and the Romantic movement, like Goethe. Besides, his poems are among the most recognized in the world.

His works include dramas like "Kabale und Liebe", minor works like "Resignation" and philosophical writings like "Anmut und Würde".

Alessandro Manzoni

Narrator and poet born in Italy in 1785, who died in the same country at the age of 88 in 1873 due to meningitis. This is one of the most recognized in Italian literature, thanks to one of his novels

historical "The bride and groom."

Jane Austen

British novelist born in 1775 and Steventon, who died of tuberculosis in 1817. Also one of the classics of English literature and reference authors of romanticism.

Among his most outstanding novels we find "Pride and Prejudice", "Emma" and "Sense and Sensibility"; while also other works such as "Lady Susan" or "Los Watson" achieved notoriety.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

One of the main authors of preromanticism, who was born in 1712 and died in 1778 at the age of 66. He was a Swiss pedagogue, musician, botanist, writer and naturalist.

Among his main literary works we find "The social contract", "Speech on the origin of inequality between men", "Julia or the new Eloisa" and "Emilio, or Education".

Heinrich Heine

He was born in Paris in 1797 and died in 1856. He was considered one of the most important poets of the time. Perhaps, among other things, because it is said that he was the last poet of romanticism. He was very successful with his 'Book of songs'.

During the author's lifetime, he met a total of 12 editions. It is said that after him, he gave way to a lyric with a much more realistic language. His life was also dedicated to politics, journalism and essays. It is true that apart from his work, it is said that he had a rather lonely life.

Novalis 

Another name that must also be mentioned is Novalis. It is a pseudonym adopted by the author, Georg Philipp Friedrich von Hardenberg. He was one of the representatives of early romanticism. He was born in 1772 and died in 1801. Among his works we can highlight 'Hymns to the night' and the fragments 'Polen and Faith and Love'.

He also wrote a poetry collection whose theme was religious and left a couple of incomplete works and two essays. His favorite themes had nature as the protagonist or the study of mining, since his work was focused on being an inspector of the salt mines.

Alfred de Musset

He was a French writer who was born in 1810 and died in 1857. In addition to being a writer and belonging to romanticism, he did not miss his desire to study medicine, as well as drawing or law. It is said that he was one of the first to take up the romantic aesthetic. His best known poems are 'Rolla and the Four Nights'. 'Los caprichos de Mariana' or 'Las castañas del fuego' are also other of his works.

These were some of the most prominent authors of romanticism of the time, who have contributed enormously in the development of literature with the contribution of great works such as those mentioned in each of them.

Main works of romanticism 

• Prose: Mariano José de Larra with newspaper articles such as 'Marrying soon and badly'. 'Les miserables' by Víctor Hugo and the short stories by Edgar Allan Poe are other examples to consider such as 'The Three Musketeers' or 'The Count of Monte Cristo' by Alecandre Dumas.
• Poetry: José de Espronceda and 'The student of Salamanca'. It is considered one of the best poems. It is based on the theme of Don Juan, where the story of Felix and Elvira is told. Bécquer's 'Rimas' are another of the great legacies of Romanticism.
• Ttheater (dramas): Without a doubt, we must mention José Zorrilla and his work 'Don Juan Tenorio'. He is one of the most important playwrights. As well as Larra and his work 'Macías'.

If you want to contribute content about an author or mention one that we have forgotten, you are free to do so through the comments. If you wish, you can also read some of the poems of romanticism more representative and that you will find in the link that we have just left you.