Benjamin Carrión
Manuel Benjamín Carrión Mora (born April 20, 1898 in Loja , † March 8, 1979 in Quito ) was an Ecuadorian writer, politician, diplomat and university lecturer. Many see him alongside Jorge Icaza as one of the most important Ecuadorian writers of the 20th century , although some value his services as a cultural politician much higher than his literary ones.
Life
After spending his childhood and youth in Loja, Carrión studied law in Quito . In 1922 he completed his studies with a doctorate. In the same year he married Águeda Eguiguren Riofrío and won his first literary prize. Also here his political career began with a seat as a member of parliament for the Socialist Party .
Carrión's diplomatic career began in 1924, initially taking him to Le Havre in France as consul . Later he was ambassador to Colombia (1937–39), Mexico and Chile . His political career peaked when he became Minister of Education in 1932.
In 1944 Carrión founded the state cultural institution named after him, Casa de la Cultura in Quito and became its first president.
In 1979, Benjamín Carrión died at the age of 82.
Works (selection)
- 1928: Los creadores de la nueva America
- 1931: Mapa de América
- 1934: Atahuallpa
- 1943: Cartas al Ecuador
- 1951: El nuevo relato ecuatoriano
- 1954: San Miguel de Unamuno
- 1956: Santa Gabriela Mistral
- 1960: Nuevas cartas al Ecuador
- 1967: El cuento de la patria
- 1970: Raíz y camino de nuestra cultura
Web links
- Literature by and about Benjamin Carrión in the catalog of the Ibero-American Institute of Prussian Cultural Heritage, Berlin
- Homepage of the Casa de la Cultura Benjamín Carrión in Quito (Spanish)
- Biography of Benjamin Carrión
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Carrión, Benjamin |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Carrión Mora, Manuel Benjamín (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Ecuadorian writer, politician, diplomat and university lecturer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 20, 1898 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Loja |
| DATE OF DEATH | March 8, 1979 |
| Place of death | Quito |