CESPEDES Y MENESES, GONZALO DE (1585? 1638), Spanish novelist, was born at Madrid, and published his celebrated romance, the Poema trdgico del Espanol Gerardo, y desengano del amor lascivo in 1615-17. His treatment of political questions in the Historia apologetica en los sucesos del reyno de Aragon, y sit ciudad de Zaragoza, anos de 91 y 92 (1622), having led to the confiscation of the book, Cespedes took up his residence at Saragossa and Lisbon. While in exile he issued a collection of short stories entitled Historias peregrinas y exemplares (1623), and wrote the first part of his Historia de Felipe IV. (1631), a fulsome eulogy which was rewarded by the post of official histori ographer to the Spanish king. Cespedes died on Jan. 27, 1638. His novels, though written in an affected style, display consider able imagination and insight into character. The Poema trdgico was utilized by Fletcher in The Spanish Curate and The Maid of the Mill.
The Historias peregrinas had been reprinted (1906) with a valuable introduction by Sr. Cotarelo y Mori.