Mendoza

(Diego Hurtado de), famous and learned Spanish author, b. of distinguished family, Granada, 1503. Intended for the church, he studied Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Hebrew, but on leaving the university he joined the army. At school he wrote his well known comic novel, Lazarillo de Tormes , which was condemned by the Inquisition. Sent on an emba y to Pope Paul III., the latter was greatly shocked at his audacity and vehemence of speech. His chief work is his History of the Moorish Wars , which remained unprinted thirty years, through the intolerant policy of Philip II. Mendoza’s satires and burlesques were also prohibited by the Inquisition. He commented Aristotle and translated his Mechanics. Died at Valladolid, April, 1575.