Simplify the following text for a Grade 10 native English-speaking person.
Original: JosÃ MarÃ a de Pereda ( February 6 , 1833 , Polanco , Cantabria -- March 1 , 1906 , Polanco ) was one of the most distinguished of modern Spanish novelists .
Simplified: JosÃ MarÃ a de Pereda ( February 6 1833 , Polanco -- March 1 1906 , Polanco ) was one of the most important of modern Spanish novelists .