Álvaro Cunqueiro was born in Mondoñedo, Galicia, in 1911. He got his start writing poems and articles for major Galician publications before moving to Madrid in 1939 to join the staff of the newspaper ABC. Later, his press credentials were revoked after he collaborated with pro-Franco media, and he returned to Galicia, where he was editor of the Faro de Vigo between 1965 and 1970. He was awarded the Nadal Prize in 1968. He died in Vigo in 1981.