He was the leading literary figure in 19th century spain and some scholars consider him second only to miguel de cervantes in stature as a spanish novelist. Benito pérez galdós may 10 1843 january 4 1920 was a spanish realist novelist. Benito pérez galdós las palmas de gran canaria 10 de mayo de 1843 madrid 4 de enero de 1920 el más prolífico novelista dramaturgo y articulista español perteneciente al realismo.