Antonio Machado

Born in Seville on July 26, 1875, Antonio Machado became one of the most important Spanish poets of the early 20th century. As a member of the Generation of ’98, he is closely linked with writers who reflected on Spain’s identity, history, and inner life after a period of national crisis.

His poetry moved from early modernist influences toward a plainer, more intimate style shaped by memory, time, loss, and the landscapes of Castile. He also worked as a French teacher, and his writing is often praised for sounding thoughtful and direct rather than ornate.

Machado died in Collioure, France, on February 22, 1939, after fleeing Spain during the Civil War. Today he is remembered as a central figure in Spanish literature, admired for poems that feel both deeply personal and widely human.