Career
Though he began the study of law and theology, he was largely self-taught. For some time he directed the liberal newspaper El Látigo ("The Whip"); later his vacillation lost him liberal support and he became a convert to traditional and conservative ideas. In 1859, at the outbreak of the African war between Spain and the Moors, Alarcón joined the Spanish expeditionary forces and won the highest honors. In 1860 he traveled throughout Italy; upon his return to Madrid he wrote for the newspapers, and later became a representative to the Cortes, state councilor, and a member of the Spanish Academy.