Andrés Henestrosa facts for kids

Andrés Henestrosa Morales (born November 25, 1906 – died January 10, 2008) was a famous Mexican writer and politician. He was known for his stories and poems. Henestrosa was also elected to the Mexican government. He served three times in the Chamber of Deputies. He was also a senator for the state of Oaxaca from 1982 to 1988. He was born in Ixhuatán, Oaxaca.

Early Life and Education

Andrés Henestrosa started school in Juchitán, Oaxaca. Until he was 15 years old, he only spoke his native language, Zapotec. After finishing his basic schooling, Henestrosa moved to Mexico City. There, he became very good at speaking Spanish.

He then went on to study at different schools. He started law studies at the Jurisprudence National School but did not finish. At the same time, he studied Philosophy and Literature at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Around 1927, one of his teachers, Alfonso Caso, gave him an idea. He suggested that Henestrosa write down Zapotec myths, legends, and fables. This idea became his first book, The Men Scattered by Dance, which was published in 1929.

Henestrosa did a lot to help Zapotec culture. He studied and celebrated it. He was also a key person in a literary movement called Indianismo. This movement focused on Native American cultures. He wrote many essays and political papers throughout his long career.

In 1936, the Guggenheim Foundation gave him a special scholarship. This allowed him to study the Zapotec language in the United States. He helped create a way to write Zapotec using the Latin alphabet. He also worked on a Zapotec–Spanish dictionary. During this trip, in 1937, he wrote one of his most famous books: My Mother’s Portrait ("El retrato de mi madre").

He became a member of the Mexican Language Academy on October 23, 1964. He remained a member until he passed away. He was also in charge of the Academy's money from 1965 to 2000. Andrés Henestrosa was one of Mexico's most important thinkers and writers.

A Close Call in 1949

On September 26, 1949, Andrés Henestrosa was supposed to be on a plane. This plane, a DC-3, crashed and all 23 people on board died. But Henestrosa had a strange feeling that something was wrong. Instead of taking the plane, he took a train from Tapachula to Mexico City. This decision saved his life.

Political Career

In 1929, Andrés Henestrosa supported José Vasconcelos for president. Many students from UNAM also supported him. Henestrosa was very active in the campaign. He wrote many essays and stories about it. Most of his original handwritten notes were lost, but his writings appeared in many magazines and newspapers.

In 1982, he was elected as a senator for his home state of Oaxaca. He was a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). As a senator, he helped make laws and represent the people of Oaxaca in the national government.

Awards

• Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor, 1993. This is one of Mexico's highest awards.

See also

In Spanish: Andrés Henestrosa para niños