ALAS (Y UREA), LEOPOLDO

born April 25, 1852, Zamora, Spain died June 13, 1901, Oviedo byname Clarn novelist and the most influential literary critic of Spain in the late 19th century. His biting and often bellicose articles, sometimes called paliques (chit-chat), and his advocacy of naturalism and anticlericalism not only made him the nation's most feared critical voice but also created many enemies and greatly obscured his fame. After studying law in Madrid, he went to the University of Oviedo in 1870, received his degree, and took a position in the university as professor of law and political economy, a post he held until his death. His early novels, La regenta (188485; The Regent's Wife) and Su nico hijo (1890; His Only Son), are considered two of the greatest Spanish naturalist novels of the century. These books mercilessly depicted the provincial society of Vetusta, an imaginary town modeled upon Oviedo. Although Alas' short stories, as collected in Cuentos morales (1896; Moral Stories) and El gallo de Scrates (1900; Socrates' Rooster), are considered inferior to his novels, they are generally more humorous and clearly reflect his wide learning and deep sensibility.