Gregorio de Laferrère facts for kids
Gregorio de Laferrère (born March 8, 1867 – died November 30, 1913) was an important Argentine politician and a writer of plays. He was known for his comedies that showed everyday life in Argentina.
Early Life and Politics
Gregorio de Laferrère was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His mother, Mercedes Pereda, came from a wealthy family, and his father, Alfonso de Laferrère, was an important landowner with French roots. Gregorio went to school at the Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires.
He started his career in journalism, writing for a newspaper called El Fígaro. In 1889, he visited Paris for the World's Fair. While there, he discovered his love for theater after watching plays by the famous writer Molière.
When he returned to Argentina, he became active in politics. In 1891, he was chosen as the very first Mayor of Morón, a new town near Buenos Aires. He later served in the Buenos Aires Province Legislature in 1893. In 1898, he was elected to the Lower House of Congress, which is part of the country's main government.
In 1903, he started a group called the "Popular Association." This group wanted people to have a more direct say in how the government was run. He often held public meetings to listen to people's problems and ideas, especially from the city's poor.
A Famous Playwright
Even though he was busy with politics, Gregorio de Laferrère loved to write. He had been writing as a hobby for a long time. In 1904, his first play, ¡Jettatore! (meaning "Evil Eye"), was performed. It was a funny play about everyday life and became very popular. Even the President, Julio Roca, came to see it!
His second play, Locos de verano ("Summer Madness"), came out in 1905. This play made fun of the social rules of the time and was also a big hit, running for eighty shows in a row.
After another play called Bajo la garra ("Into the Clutches") in 1906, Gregorio helped get money from Congress to start the Lavardén Dramatic Conservatory. This was the first school of its kind in Argentina for actors and playwrights.
His most famous play, Las de Barranco ("Barranco's Girls"), premiered in 1908. This play was about a military officer who dies, and his wife tries to find rich husbands for their three daughters. It was very successful and was even performed in Paris years later.
Later Years and Legacy
Gregorio de Laferrère left Congress in 1908 to focus more on his writing. In 1911, he wrote another comedy called Los invisibles. This play was about a shopkeeper who suddenly became obsessed with ghosts.
He also got involved in a real estate project, helping to develop a new area southwest of Buenos Aires. This area grew because a new railway line was coming.
Sadly, Gregorio de Laferrère passed away in Buenos Aires in 1913, when he was only 46 years old. After his death, his business partners named the new settlement in his honor. Today, there is a town called Gregorio de Laferrère, named after him.
See also
In Spanish: Gregorio de Laferrère para niños
