Ricardo Palma (1833-1919) was a Peruvian writer, historian, journalist, and librarian whose work helped define the literary and cultural identity of Peru. Best known for his celebrated Peruvian Traditions (Tradiciones Peruanas), Palma blended historical research, folklore, humor, and storytelling to recreate the world of colonial and early republican Peru. Following the devastation of the War of the Pacific, he devoted himself to rebuilding Peru's National Library, earning the enduring title of "The Beggar Librarian." Today he is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Latin American literature and a foundational voice in Peruvian cultural history.