José Hernández (writer) facts for kids
José Hernández (born José Rafael Hernández y Pueyrredón; November 10, 1834 – October 21, 1886) was an Argentine journalist, poet, and politician. He is most famous for writing the epic poem Martín Fierro. This poem tells the story of a gaucho, a cowboy from the Argentine plains.
Life and Early Career
José Hernández was born on a farm near San Martín, in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. His family had Spanish roots. His father worked as a foreman on cattle ranches. José Hernández's life involved moving between being a soldier in Argentina's and Uruguay's civil wars and working as a journalist. He also briefly worked for a business and as a stenographer (someone who writes down spoken words) for the government.
His Newspaper and Ideas
Hernández started a newspaper called El Río de la Plata. Through his newspaper, he supported local control and wanted people to elect their own judges, military leaders, and school boards. He believed in a strong Argentina based on farming and ranching, with good education for everyone. He was against too much immigration because he thought it might change the traditional way of life in the region.
Hernández was a "federalist." This meant he believed that different regions of Argentina should have more power. He was against the idea of a strong central government that wanted to make Argentina more like Europe. However, he did not support General Juan Manuel de Rosas, who was a powerful leader, because Hernández saw him as a harsh ruler.
Martín Fierro and Legacy
José Hernández is best known today for his masterpiece, Martín Fierro. This epic poem is the most important work of "gauchesque literature." This type of literature tells stories about the lives of gauchos.
Hernández likely started writing the poem while he was living in Brazil. He had gone there after a battle in 1870. The poem was published in two parts. The first part came out in 1872, and the second part was published in 1879.
Hernández passed away on October 21, 1886, from heart disease. He died in Belgrano, which was a separate town back then. Today, Belgrano is a neighborhood in the city of Buenos Aires. He was buried in La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires.
See also
In Spanish: José Hernández para niños
