Pablo Neruda [1914-1973] was born Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto, but adopted his pen name legally in 1946. Under that name he has become one one of the most famous poets of all time.

From the 1940s on, his works reflected the political struggle of the left and the socio-historical developments in South America. He was also very famous for his love poems. Neruda's Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair (1924) have sold over a million copies since it first appeared.