SPAIN, 2001, 4th centenary of Gracian's birth, Scott 3109
Baltasar Gracián, author of numerous works, entered the Jesuits at the age of 18 and was ordained in 1627. He taught philosophy and theology at several Jesuit schools in Aragon, was rector of the Jesuit college at Tarragona, and gained fame as a preacher in the court city of Madrid. He wrote under pseudonyms to avoid censorship, desirous perhaps that lesser talent not corrupt his exquisite style with their corrections. He was a witty man, who was constantly in trouble with his Jesuit superiors, though respected as a stylist and influential on other Spanish authors. His recently republished work, The Art of Worldly Wisdom, has been a best seller. More