Constantin Fântâneru

Constantin Fântâneru (January 1, 1907–March 21, 1975) was a Romanian poet, prose writer and literary critic.

Born in Budișteni, Argeș County, his parents were Costache Fântâneru and Zoe (née Cârstoiu), peasants. After attending primary school in his native village from 1914 to 1919, he went to Saint Sava National College in Bucharest, graduating in 1927. His classmates there included Alexandru Sahia, Eugène Ionesco and Dan Botta; together, the group published Ramuri fragede magazine from 1926 to 1927. Fântâneru subsequently studied classical philology at the University of Bucharest's literature and philosophy faculty, earning a degree in 1930. He edited the business newspaper Prezentul, led by Virgil Madgearu from 1935. From 1936, he was editing secretary at Universul and editor for Universul literar, where he published the book review column from 1938 to 1941. Described by Mircea Eliade as "lacking a subject" and "confused", it was seen by George Călinescu as "a lyrical journal, analyzing the uncertain psychology of the 'new generation'", written with "a certain deliberate incoherence and an uncaring acceptance of the absurd".