Pedro Calvo Asensio facts for kids

Pedro Calvo Asensio was an important Spanish politician and journalist in the 1800s.

Pedro Calvo Asensio (1821–1863) was a Spanish writer, journalist, and politician. He was a very important figure in Spain during the 19th century. He owned and managed a newspaper called La Iberia. This newspaper was one of the most important in Spain during the mid-1800s.

Early Life and Education

Pedro Nolasco Calvo Asensio was born in Mota del Marqués on January 31, 1821. His father was a farmer and a lawyer. Pedro had several brothers, including Manuel Calvo. Manuel later became a librarian for the Spanish Parliament. He also worked with Pedro at La Iberia newspaper.

Pedro studied Philosophy and Humanities at the University of Valladolid. After that, he moved to Madrid. There, he studied Pharmacy and Law. He earned a special degree in pharmacy.

In June 1847, Pedro married Ana María Posadas. They had two children, Gonzalo (born 1848) and Teresa (born 1850). Pedro was known as a great husband and father. After he passed away, his children used both of his last names, Calvo Asensio, to honor him.

A Career in Journalism

Pedro Calvo Asensio started his first newspaper, El Cínife, in 1845. This was a funny newspaper.

In 1854, he helped start and then ran La Iberia newspaper. He managed it until he died suddenly in 1863. La Iberia was a newspaper that supported progressive ideas. It promoted the idea of Spain and Portugal working together. The newspaper was published every day except Sundays.

La Iberia became a key voice for the Progressive Party. It was one of the most important newspapers in Spain. It even survived attacks from powerful prime ministers like Ramón María Narváez and Leopoldo O'Donnell. The name "Iberia" showed the dream of a "united Iberia", meaning a union of Spain and Portugal.

The newspaper supported the Spanish Revolution of 1854. It also backed Baldomero Espartero to lead the government.

In 1863, Práxedes Mateo Sagasta and José Abascal y Carredano bought La Iberia. Sagasta ran the newspaper until 1866. During this time, it became very popular. It also criticized the government before the Glorious Revolution.

Political Life

Calvo Asensio became very active in politics with the Progressive Party in 1851. He defended scientists and professionals.

In 1854, during a time of revolution, Calvo volunteered to defend the Lavapiés district in Madrid. The new progressive government offered him honors. They also offered him a job as Secretary of the Health Council. But he turned them down. Instead, he wanted to become a deputy (a member of parliament). He achieved this in 1854.

Calvo Asensio was known as a "pure progressive." This meant he stuck closely to the party's original ideas. He defined his political beliefs in his "Electoral Program of Valladolid." This was published in La Iberia in September 1854. He believed in balancing traditional Catholic values with modern ideas. For example, he supported free public education for young children. He also wanted juries to decide cases about political crimes.

Years later, in 1857, he wrote an article in La Iberia. In it, he criticized people who changed their beliefs just to gain power. He blamed society for allowing such people to become important.

As a deputy in 1854, he was a great speaker. He was an enemy of O'Donnell. He often attacked O'Donnell in his newspaper and in parliament. Because of this, his newspaper was often targeted by O'Donnell and General Narváez.

In 1856, General O'Donnell led a coup. This ended the progressive government. Asensio had to go into exile in France for a short time with Sagasta. When he returned, he was elected deputy for Madrid in 1856. He then became a leader of the Progressive Party, working in opposition to the government. He remained a deputy until his death in 1863.

Pedro Calvo Asensio and Práxedes Mateo Sagasta

Pedro Calvo Asensio's friendship with Sagasta was very important. Their friendship began in May 1848, during a period of revolutions. From then on, they were good friends and partners in the Progressive Party.

Both were elected as deputies in the 1854 elections. Sagasta represented Zamora, and Asensio represented Valladolid. Later, in 1857, Sagasta joined La Iberia newspaper, which Calvo Asensio directed. After Calvo Asensio died, Sagasta bought his shares of La Iberia from his widow. Sagasta then took over as director of the newspaper.

Writer and Poet

Calvo Asensio wrote many different kinds of works. As a poet who wrote about current events, he published works like El eco de la libertad combatido por las bayonetas afrancesadas (1844). He also wrote poems such as Las cabriolas y las letras (1850).

As a playwright, he wrote Romantic Dramas. These plays were often about historical topics. One example is La acción de Villalar, which was very popular in Madrid in 1844. He also wrote Fernán González and its second part (1847).

He was also known for his funny writing. He founded El Cínife, a short-lived newspaper. Its subtitle described it as "gossipy, sharp, superficial, warlike, and almost rude, but very cheap." He wrote other plays like La cuna no da la nobleza (1845). His best play is considered to be Felipe el Prudente (1853). In this play, he wrote about King Philip II in a new way.

Some of his comedies include Los disfraces (1844), Valentina valentona (1846), Infantes improvisados (1847), La escala de la fortuna (1848), and Ginesillo el aturdido (1849). He also wrote two plays with Juan de la Rosa: Los consejos de Tomás (1845) and La Estudiantina o El Diablo en Salamanca (1847).

See also

In Spanish: Pedro Calvo Asensio para niños