Often considered the voice of Romanian literature and his native country's best playwright, Ion Luca Caragiale (1852-1912) reflected the language, people, and concerns of Romania in his work. Caragiale was best known for his eight plays--most of which were social comedies--though he also had an extensive body of fiction, dramatic criticism, other works of nonfiction, and one novella to his name.

Caragiale was born on January 30, 1852, in Haimanalele, in what was to become Romania. He was the son of Luca and Ecaterina (nee Karaba) Caragiale. His father was the eldest of three sons, who all had careers in the theater as actors, directors, and playwrights, and was of Greek origin. Luca Caragiale began as an actor, but later became a judge, lawyer, and administrator of an estate. Caragiale also had a sister.

As a child, Caragiale received his education in Ploesti, beginning in 1857. It was not a complete...