José Francisco de Isla

José Francisco de Isla (born March 24, 1703, Vidanes, Spain—died Nov. 2, 1781, Bologna, Papal States) was a Spanish satirist and preacher noted for his novel known as Fray Gerundio. Isla showed intellectual promise early and entered the Jesuit order as a novice in 1719, studying at the University of Salamanca. He was named professor of sacred literature in 1727 and taught this subject in various Spanish schools until 1754, when he retired to Villagarcía...