Diego José Abad facts for kids

Diego José Abad y García (born June 1, 1727, in La Lagunita, near Jiquilpan, Michoacán, Mexico – died September 30, 1779, in Bologna, Italy) was a talented writer and translator. He was a member of the Jesuit order, a group of Catholic priests and brothers. He wrote poems and translated important works from Latin into Spanish.

Biography

Early Life and Studies

Diego José Abad y García began his education at the College of San Ildefonso. There, he studied subjects like literature and philosophy. In 1741, when he was about 14 years old, he joined the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits.

A Teacher and Scholar

As a Jesuit, Abad became a teacher. He taught many subjects, including how to speak and write well (rhetoric), philosophy (the study of knowledge and existence), and law. He taught in important cities in Mexico, such as Mexico City, Zacatecas, and Querétaro.

Life in Italy

In 1767, a big event happened: all Jesuits were asked to leave the Spanish Empire. At that time, Abad was in charge of a school in Querétaro. Like other Jesuits, he had to leave Mexico and move to Italy. He first lived in a city called Ferrara, and later moved to Bologna.

Works

Poetry and Translations

In 1750, Abad wrote a poem called Rasgo descriptivo de la fábrica y grandezas del templo de la Compañía de Jesús en Zacatecas. This poem described the beauty of the Jesuit church in Zacatecas. He also translated parts of the famous Roman poem Aeneid by Virgil into Spanish. He even translated one of Virgil's Eclogues, which are poems about country life.

His Most Important Work

His most famous work is a long poem called De Deo heroica carmina. He started writing it in Mexico and finished it in Italy. This poem was written in Latin and had a strong, powerful style. It was divided into two main parts: one about religious ideas and another about the life of Jesus Christ.

This poem was published several times under different names. The final and complete version, with 43 sections, was published after he died in 1780. Many people admired this poem. Later, in 1974, someone named Benjamín Fernández Valenzuela translated it into Spanish, calling it Poema heroico.

Other Writings

Diego José Abad y García also wrote several other books and essays. Some of these include:

• Compendio de álgebra (a summary of algebra)
• Tratado del conocimiento de Dios (a book about knowing God, written in Italian)
• Geografía hidrográfica (a book about important rivers around the world)
• El embrollado problema de las matemáticas resuelto (a book solving a complex math problem)

He passed away in Bologna, Italy, in 1779.

See also

In Spanish: Diego José Abad para niños