Eminent literary and scientific men of Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Vol. 3 (of 3)

"Eminent Literary and Scientific Men of Italy, Spain, and Portugal, Vol. 3," by James Montgomery is a historical collection of biographies that shines a light on important writers and thinkers from Italy, Spain, and Portugal. This book explores their lives, achievements, and the times they lived in, with a focus on figures who greatly influenced the progress of literature and science in their countries, like Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and Dante. Early on, the book prepares readers for a tour through Spain's literary past, explaining how literature and the arts grew there. It describes the strong impact of early Spanish poems and how a vibrant cultural heritage survived despite difficulties. The book also acknowledges the Moors' role in spreading knowledge and the important contributions of Jewish people to Spain's written works. This sets the scene for understanding how literature developed in Spain.