Joaquín Dicenta Benedicto (1862–1917) was a Spanish journalist, novelist, playwright, poet and Republican politician.

His 1895 play Juan José, whose representation became a staple of every May Day,[1] was the second-most performed in the Spanish repertory between 1895 and 1939.

[7] In April 1885, Dicenta promoted the creation of La Democracia Social, a shortly-lived Republican and Socialist newspaper.

The play's socialist tone and its tale of the conflict between employers and employees made it a huge success among the working class.

[10][11] He took office on 1 July 1909, delivering a speech as follows:[12] "I object to the fact that the councillors elected by the sovereignty of the people are presided over and ordained by a Mayor of Royal order.

Politics is made and manifested here, since that the thing representing the most reactionary part of the Ayuntamiento has been given the only existing prebends.