Gerardo Diego was a Spanish poet and member of the Generation of '27. He taught language and literature at institutes of learning in Soria, Gijón, Santander, and Madrid. He was also a literature and music critic for several newspapers. In 1925 he was awarded the National Prize for Literature and in 1947 he was given membership in the Spanish Royal Academy. His lifetime work was recognised with the Cervantes Prize awarded to him in 1979. He died in Madrid in 1987, age 90.