Juan Rulfo was a Mexican author born in Sayula, Jalisco, on May 16, 1917. Rulfo is considered one of the most significant and influential writers of 20th-century Latin American literature. He is known for his sparse, evocative prose and his ability to capture the essence of Mexican rural life, customs, and beliefs.

Rulfo’s family was poor, and he had to work from a young age to help support them. Despite his early struggles, he showed an early interest in literature and began writing at a young age. As a teenager, Rulfo was forced to flee his hometown during the Mexican Revolution, an experience that would leave a lasting impression on him and shape his writing.

In 1934, Rulfo moved to Mexico City to attend high school. After completing his studies, he worked for several years as a clerk in the Mexico City department of immigration. During this time, he began writing stories, many of which were based on his experiences growing up in rural Mexico. In 1953, Rulfo published his first collection of short stories, El Llano en Llamas (The Burning Plain), which quickly gained critical acclaim. The stories in this collection dealt with the harsh realities of life in rural Mexico, including poverty, violence, and oppression.