Jose Garcia Nieto; Spanish Poet, Novelist

Jose Garcia Nieto, a postwar poet and novelist who won Spain’s Cervantes literature prize in 1996 for his lifelong contribution to the Spanish language, has died.

Garcia Nieto died Feb. 27 of diabetes in a Madrid hospital, his daughter Maite told Spanish news media. He was 86.

The poet was considered one of the most conservative literary voices in Spain after its 1935-39 civil war. Inspired by Roman Catholicism, his work frequently referred to the traditional values of God, country and family at a time when they were also being espoused by Gen. Francisco Franco, who ruled as dictator from 1939 to 1975.

His first novel, “Visperas Hacia Ti” (Vespers Toward You), was published in 1940 at the end of the civil war. He wrote about 30 works, including “Sonetos por Mi Hija” (Sonnets for My Daughter) in 1953 and “La Hora Undecima” (The Eleventh Hour) in 1963.

He also wrote short stories and plays. During his final years, he was a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines.

Garcia Nieto is survived by his wife and three children.