Martín Luis Guzmán facts for kids

Martín Luis Guzmán.

Martín Luis Guzmán Franco (born October 6, 1887 – died December 22, 1976) was a famous Mexican novelist and journalist. He is known as one of the first writers of the "revolutionary novel." This type of story was inspired by the real events of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Guzmán spent time living away from Mexico, in the United States and Spain. He also started newspapers, magazines, and publishing companies. In 1958, he won Mexico's top award for literature, the National Prize in Literature.

Life of Martín Luis Guzmán

Early Years and the Revolution

Martín Luis Guzmán was born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua. His father was a colonel in the Mexican army. His father worked at the Mexican consulate in Phoenix, Arizona. Sadly, his father was killed early in the Mexican Revolution. After this, Guzmán moved to Mexico City.

For several months in 1914, Guzmán worked closely with General Francisco "Pancho" Villa. Later, Guzmán wrote a five-book series about Villa's life. This series was called Memorias de Pancho Villa. On Villa's orders, Guzmán saw the army of Venustiano Carranza enter Mexico City. This happened after the government of Victoriano Huerta fell in July 1914.

Carranza had Guzmán put in jail. This was because Guzmán supported Villa, who was now an enemy of Carranza. Guzmán was released during a fight between different groups. He then traveled to Paris and Madrid in 1914. There, he started writing articles for a Spanish magazine called España. He also became friends with important Spanish thinkers. His first book, La querella de México, shared his thoughts on Mexico's problems.

Exile and Return

Guzmán left Spain for the United States. He worked for España there and taught a short course. He returned to Mexico briefly and worked for Mexican newspapers. In 1920, Carranza was removed from power. Guzmán then returned to Mexico and became the private secretary for Alberto J. Pani. Pani was the foreign minister for President Obregón. Guzmán helped with the 1921 celebration of Mexico's independence.

Later, Guzmán had problems with Obregón's government. Obregón wanted Plutarco Elías Calles to be the next president. Guzmán supported Adolfo de la Huerta in a rebellion against Obregón and Calles in 1923. The rebellion failed, and Guzmán had to live in Spain for ten years. He even became a Spanish citizen. He continued his journalism work. His most important book from this time was El águila y la serpiente. It was a novel about the revolution.

When Lázaro Cárdenas became president (1934–40), he invited Guzmán back to Mexico. Guzmán returned to journalism. He also began writing his famous book, Memorias de Pancho Villa.

Later Life and Legacy

Martín Luis Guzmán was a well-known public figure in Mexico. He served as a senator from 1969 to 1976. He passed away suddenly on December 22, 1976, in Mexico City. He died from a heart attack. His wife, Ana West, passed away seven years later, in 1983. She was 95 years old.

Important Books

Novels About the Revolution

Martín Luis Guzmán's novels La sombra del caudillo (1929) and El águila y la serpiente (1928) show the Mexican Revolution. They also show what happened in politics afterward. Guzmán knew these events well. He had helped with the revolution and the new government.

See also

In Spanish: Martín Luis Guzmán para niños

• Politics in fiction