Cervantes, Miguel De: - "Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was an Early Modern Spanish author, usually recognized as the finest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world's best novelists (29 September 1547 (assumed) - 22 April 1616). His most famous work, Don Quixote, is frequently recognized as both the first modern novel and one of the greatest works of literature ever written. Many of his early works were lost as a result of the fact that he spent a large portion of his life in poverty and obscurity. In spite of this, Spanish is frequently referred to as "the language of Cervantes," which reflects his influence and literary contribution. Cervantes was compelled to leave Spain in 1569 and relocate to Rome, where he took a job in a cardinal's household. He joined a Spanish Navy infantry battalion in 1570 and suffered severe injuries at the Battle of Lepanto in October 1571. He served as a soldier up until 1575 when Barbary pirates kidnapped him; after spending five years in prison, he was freed and sent back to Madrid. Despite the fact that he remained to work as a purchasing agent and eventually as a government tax collector after his first notable novel, La Galatea was published in 1585."