Manuel Mantero facts for kids

Manuel Mantero is a Spanish professor and writer. He was born in Seville, Spain, on July 29, 1930. In 1969, Mr. Mantero moved to the United States. There, he kept working as a university professor.

Manuel Mantero's Early Life and Education

Manuel Mantero studied law at the University of Seville. He then earned a special advanced degree, called a doctorate, in law from the University of Salamanca. For his doctorate, he wrote about the ideas of the Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi in 1957.

After his studies, he became a professor at the University of Seville. He also worked with the School of Hispanic American Studies. This school was part of Spain’s Higher Council of Scientific Research. He was also a member of the school's magazine, Estudios Americanos (American Studies).

Moving to Madrid and Rome

In 1960, Manuel Mantero moved to Madrid, the capital of Spain. He also spent some time in Rome, Italy. In Rome, he did important research with help from the Italian Government.

During the 1960s, he was very busy with cultural and professional work. He wrote reviews about books and art. He also worked with newspapers and special magazines. He was a guest on TV and radio shows. He also gave many talks across Spain. During this time, he taught as a professor at the University of Madrid. Mr. Mantero was also a member of the Cervantes Institute in Madrid. He was also part of the National Institute of Legal Studies. Both of these groups are connected to the Higher Council of Scientific Research.

Manuel Mantero's Time in the United States

Becoming a Professor in America

In 1969, Manuel Mantero moved to the United States. He became a full professor at Western Michigan University. While there, he started and edited a magazine called Sagittarius. Famous writers like Jorge Luis Borges and Vicente Aleixandre wrote for this magazine.

In 1973, he moved to the University of Georgia. He held a special position there as a Distinguished Literature Professor. He worked there until he retired in August 2000. Today, he is an emeritus distinguished research professor at the University of Georgia. This means he is retired but still recognized for his important work.

Staying Connected to Spain

Even though Manuel Mantero lived outside of Spain for many years, he always went back to his home country. He also continued to be part of Spain's cultural life. Two of his recent books were first released in Spain. These books are Había una ventana de colores (memorias) (There Was a Window of Colors (memoirs)) and Equipaje (poesía) (Luggage (poetry)).

Spain's Minister of Culture, Carmen Calvo, helped introduce his memoirs. Other important people, like Professor Jorge Urrutia and writer Antonio Burgos, also helped. His book of poems was introduced in Madrid by Professor Rogelio Blanco. He was the Director General of Books, Archives, and Libraries. Professor Juan Carlos Marset, a poet, also helped.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Manuel Mantero has received many important awards. He won Spain’s National Award for Literature in 1960. He also won the Fastenrath Award from the Spanish Royal Academy of Language in 1967. Other awards include the Albert Christ-Janer Award (1981) and The March Foundation Literary Prize (1964). He also won the Andalusian Critics’ Award twice, in 1995 and 2005.

He became a member of Seville’s Royal Academy of Letters in 1985. He received the Golden Seals of Luis de Góngora in 2003. This award came from Córdoba’s Royal Academy. In 2005, he received Seville’s Gold Medal. In 2006, the City Council of Seville named a street after him. This was a great honor.

Mr. Mantero has also helped decide who should win the Nobel Prize for literature. He worked as a consultant for the Royal Swedish Academy. He is an honorary member of many international academic groups in France, Italy, and Hispanic countries. He is also a member of Sigma Delta Pi’s Order of Don Quixote. This is a top Hispanic society in America.

He has represented Spain at many international book fairs and conferences. These include the Miami Book Fair International and the Euro-San Francisco Poetry Festival. Many studies, talks, and special events have focused on Manuel Mantero’s poetry. Books like A Study of the Works of Manuel Mantero by Douglas Barnette have introduced his work to readers in English.

His writings have been translated into many languages. These include English, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Romanian, Ukrainian, and Polish. Vicente Aleixandre, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1977, praised Manuel Mantero's work. He said that Mantero "has produced a work that adds value to the whole of the current Spanish lyric by his personality and stature." Aleixandre also said that Mantero's work "makes an indelible mark in the poetry of his time."

Please go to: manuelmantero.org

See also

In Spanish: Manuel Mantero para niños