# Rosalía de Castro

> Galician poet and writer (1837-1885)

**Wikidata**: [Q464264](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q464264)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosalía_de_Castro)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rosalia-de-castro

## Summary
Rosalía de Castro was a Galician poet and writer from Spain, active from 1837 to 1885. She is a central figure in Galician literature, renowned for her works including *Cantares gallegos* and the 1880 poetry collection *Follas novas*. Her legacy is honored annually on Galician Literature Day, and she has been immortalized in astronomy with a star and a crater named after her.

## Biography
- **Born:** February 23, 1837
- **Nationality:** Spain
- **Education:** [Data not available in source]
- **Known for:** Poetry and writing; pivotal works in Galician literature such as *Cantares gallegos* and *Follas novas*.
- **Employer(s):** [Data not available in source]
- **Field(s):** Literature, Poetry, Novel writing, Short story writing

## Contributions
Rosalía de Castro made significant contributions to literature through her poetry and prose during her work period from 1857 to 1884.
*   **Literary Works:** She authored *Cantares gallegos*, a work that serves as a cornerstone of her reputation. In 1880, she published the poetry collection *Follas novas*.
*   **Cultural Recognition:** Her influence is such that the Galician Literature Day, a public holiday observed in Galicia, Spain, was established in her honor (inception: May 17, 1963).
*   **Astronomical Namesakes:** Her legacy extends beyond Earth, with a crater on Venus named "Castro" and a star in the constellation Ophiuchus named "Rosalíadecastro".

## FAQs
**What are Rosalía de Castro's most famous works?**
She is best known for *Cantares gallegos* and *Follas novas*, the latter being a poem collection published in 1880.

**When did Rosalía de Castro live and work?**
She was born on February 23, 1837, and died on July 22, 1885. Her active work period spanned from 1857 to 1884.

**How is Rosalía de Castro honored today?**
She is commemorated annually on Galician Literature Day, a public holiday in Galicia, Spain, observed on May 17 since 1963.

**What are the different names used for Rosalía de Castro?**
She is known by several variations of her name, including Rosalía Castro de Murguía, María Rosalía Rita de Castro, María Rosalía Rita Expósito, and María Rosalía Rita Castro de Murguía.

**What celestial bodies are named after Rosalía de Castro?**
A crater on Venus is named "Castro," and a star in the constellation Ophiuchus is named "Rosalíadecastro" in her honor.

## Why They Matter
Rosalía de Castro is a foundational figure in Galician culture and literature. Her work helped define and elevate the Galician language and identity within the broader context of Spanish literature. The establishment of Galician Literature Day in her honor underscores her enduring importance as a symbol of regional heritage. Her influence is such that her name has been permanently inscribed in the heavens, marking her status as an enduring cultural icon.

## Notable For
*   **Literary Output:** Author of *Cantares gallegos* and *Follas novas* (1880).
*   **Occupations:** Recognized as a poet, writer, novelist, and short story writer.
*   **Commemoration:** The subject of Galician Literature Day (observed May 17).
*   **Astronomical Honors:** A crater on Venus ("Castro") and a star in Ophiuchus ("Rosalíadecastro") bear her name.
*   **Work Period:** Active literary career from 1857 to 1884.

## Body

### Identity and Career
Rosalía de Castro, also known by her full names María Rosalía Rita de Castro, María Rosalía Rita Expósito, and María Rosalía Rita Castro de Murguía, was a distinguished literary figure. She held multiple occupations throughout her career, including poet, writer, novelist, and short story writer. Her professional work period began in 1857 and concluded in 1884. She was a citizen of Spain and is classified under the Wikidata description as a "Galician poet and writer (1837-1885)."

### Literary Works and Publications
De Castro's bibliography includes significant contributions to poetry and literature. Her notable works include *Cantares gallegos* and *Follas novas*. The latter, a poem collection, was published in 1880. These works are central to her reputation and are frequently cited in academic and cultural contexts related to Galician heritage.

### National and Geographic Context: Spain
As a Spanish writer, Rosalía de Castro existed within the complex geopolitical and cultural landscape of Spain. Spain, her country of citizenship, is a sovereign state located primarily in Southwestern Europe, with territories in Africa, including the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. It is organized as a parliamentary monarchy under the official name Kingdom of Spain, with Madrid as its capital.

**Geography and Borders**
Spain occupies the majority of the Iberian Peninsula, covering an area of 505,990 square kilometers. It shares borders with Andorra, France, Gibraltar, Portugal, and Morocco. The nation is transcontinental, possessing territories in both Europe and Africa. The highest point in Spain is Mount Teide (3,718 meters) on Tenerife, while the lowest point is Mina de Las Cruces (-107 meters).

**Government and Politics**
During the latter part of Castro's life and in the subsequent historical development of her nation, Spain underwent significant political changes. Today, Spain operates as a parliamentary monarchy. The Head of State is King Felipe VI (since June 19, 2014), and the Head of Government is Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (since June 2, 2018). The legislative body is the Cortes Generales. The current Spanish Constitution was adopted on December 29, 1978, during the transition to democracy.

**Languages and Culture**
The linguistic environment of Spain is diverse, which is relevant to Castro's identity as a Galician writer. While Spanish is the official language nationwide, Galician is co-official in Galicia, alongside Catalan and Basque in their respective regions. This regional linguistic diversity plays a crucial role in the cultural identity of Spain's autonomous communities. Spain's national anthem is "Marcha Real," and the motto is "Plus Ultra."

**Demographics and Economy**
Spain has a population of over 48 million people (as of January 1, 2024). The country uses the Euro as its currency, having replaced the Peseta in 1999. Spain is a member of major international organizations, including the European Union (since 1986), NATO (since 1982), and the United Nations (since 1955). The economy is substantial, with a nominal GDP of approximately $1.4 trillion USD.

### Awards and Recognition
Rosalía de Castro's impact on literature is formally recognized through the Galician Literature Day. This public holiday is observed in Galicia, Spain, on May 17 each year, having been instituted in 1963. This day serves to celebrate her life and works, cementing her status as a national treasure.

### Posthumous Honors and Scientific Identifiers
Beyond her literary contributions, de Castro has been honored in the fields of astronomy and science.
*   **Astronomy:** A crater on the planet Venus bears the name "Castro." Additionally, a star located in the constellation Ophiuchus is named "Rosalíadecastro."
*   **Archival Identifiers:** Her person is cataloged in numerous international databases and systems, reflecting her academic significance. These identifiers include:
    *   VIAF: 51711491
    *   ISNI: 0000000081298427
    *   BNF: 120604552
    *   GND: 118935267
    *   LCCN: n79021724
    *   WorldCat Identities: lccn-n79021724
    *   BNE: XX881851
    *   NLA: 35749192
    *   NKC: jn20010602163
    *   SELIBR: 12179
    *   SUDOC: 028855418
    *   B611: 50266
    *   MUNZINGER: 9259
    *   NTA: 068294557
    *   CANTIC: 9810669251205606
    *   IKAR: 000049533
    *   NLI: 000454159
    *   NLP: 118056
    *   RERO: 000154058
    *   SNAC: 6145
    *   TLS: 661338
    *   ULAN: 500026466
    *   ORCID: 0000-0002-7750-8190
    *   MusicBrainz: a10440756
    *   NLA (Trove): 4613391
    *   BAV: ADV102305
    *   CGN: 2506826
    *   LIR: 170647
    *   Find a Grave: 1815
    *   IdRef: 028855418
    *   IdRef: 118935267
    *   Open Library: OL123396A, OL6289552A
    *   Wikidata: Q11930329
    *   Wikipedia: Rosalía de Castro

### Related Entities
Several entities are directly associated with Rosalía de Castro:
*   **Castro:** A crater on Venus named in her honor.
*   **Rosalíadecastro:** A star in the constellation Ophiuchus named after her.
*   **Galician Literature Day:** A public holiday dedicated to her memory.
*   **Cantares gallegos:** One of her most notable works.
*   **Follas novas:** A poem collection published in 1880.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [Source](https://academia.gal/letras-galegas/1963/rosalia-de-castro)
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. MusicBrainz
8. Find a Grave
9. International Music Score Library Project
10. Spanish Biographical Dictionary
11. Proleksis Encyclopedia
12. [La Voz de Galicia](https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/cultura/2021/10/02/span-langgl-documento-inedito-demostra-rosalia-naceu-23-febreiro-non-24span/0003_202110G2P34991.htm)
13. Open Library
14. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
15. SNAC
16. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. [Source](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL6289552A/Rosalia_Castro?mode=all)
19. CONOR.SI
20. About Rosalía de Castro | Academy of American Poets. poets.org
21. LIBRIS. 2002
22. FactGrid