Enrique González Martínez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Enrique González Martínez
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| Born | April 13, 1871 Guadalajara, Jalisco |
| Died | February 19, 1952 (aged 80) Mexico City |
| Occupation | poet, physician and diplomat |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Spouse | Luisa Rojo |
| Children | Enrique (1899–1939), María Luisa (1901), Héctor (1903) |
Enrique González Martínez was a famous Mexican poet, doctor, and diplomat. He was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, on April 13, 1871, and passed away in Mexico City on February 19, 1952. His poems are often described as "Modernist," which means they were part of a new style of writing that became popular around his time. This style often included ideas from French symbolism, which used symbols to express feelings and ideas.
Contents
Life of a Mexican Poet
Early Education and Medical Career
Enrique González Martínez learned a lot at home when he was young. When he was 10, he went to special schools like the Council Seminary and the Liceo de Varones.
In 1893, he earned his doctorate degree in Guadalajara, becoming a doctor. Around this time, he also started publishing his poems in newspapers and magazines. Soon after, he became a professor of physiology at the School of Medicine.
Moving and Writing
After practicing medicine for two years, he moved to Culiacán, Sinaloa. Here, he began to get involved in politics, working as a government official in different areas.
His first poetry book, Preludios, came out in 1903. With his third book, Silenter, he became a member of the important Mexican Academy. He then moved to Mexico City, where he became the president of a youth group called Ateneo in 1912. He also started a literary magazine called Argos in 1912 and worked as an editor for the daily newspaper El Imparcial.
Public Service and Diplomacy
In 1913, Enrique González Martínez became the Undersecretary of Public Education and Fine Arts. The next year, he became the secretary of government for the State of Puebla. He also taught French Literature and Mexican Literature at different schools in the Federal District. In 1917, he helped lead Pegaso magazine with other famous writers like Ramon Lopez Velarde.
In 1920, Martínez joined the Mexican Foreign Service. This meant he worked as a minister (a type of diplomat) for Mexico in countries like Chile, Argentina, Spain, and Portugal. He served in these roles between 1920 and 1931 before returning to Mexico.
Later Years and Recognition
In 1942, Martínez joined the Seminary of Mexican Culture. The next year, in 1943, he gave talks on different topics about literary history at the National School. He was a member of the Mexican Academy of Language and the Altamirano Grammar School. In 1944, he received the Ávila Camacho National Prize of Literature, a very important award. His complete collection of poems, Poesías Completas, was also published that year.
He passed away in Mexico City in 1952.
His Important Work
Enrique González Martínez is well-known for his poem "Tuércele el cuello al cisne" (which means "Wring the Neck of the Swan"). He wrote this poem in 1910, and it was published in 1911. In this poem, he showed that he wanted to move away from the older Modernist style of poetry. He suggested replacing the swan, which was a common symbol in that style, with an owl. The owl represented a deeper, more thoughtful way of writing.
The famous author and poet Octavio Paz praised Martínez. He said that Martínez was "the only true modernist poet Mexico ever had." This shows how important his work was in Mexican literature.
See also
- Statue of Enrique González Martínez
- In Spanish: Enrique González Martínez para niños
