Porfirio Barba-Jacob facts for kids
Miguel Ángel Osorio Benítez (born July 29, 1883 – died January 14, 1942) was a famous Colombian poet and writer. He is best known by his pen name, Porfirio Barba-Jacob.
He was born in Santa Rosa de Osos, Antioquia, Colombia. His parents were Antonio María Osorio and Pastora Benítez. He grew up with his grandparents in Angostura. In 1895, he began traveling. First, he explored different parts of Colombia. Later, from 1907, he traveled through Central America and the United States. He finally settled in Mexico City in 1930.
Contents
Early Life and Writing Journey
Starting a Literary Magazine
Around 1902, in Bogotá, he started a literary magazine. It was called "El cancionero antioqueño," which means The Antioquian songbook. He managed this magazine using the pen name Marín Jiménez. Soon after, he wrote a novel titled "Virginia." However, this book was never published. The original manuscript was taken by the mayor of Santa Rosa. The mayor claimed it was not moral.
Changing Names and Writing Poems
In 1906, he moved to Barranquilla. There, he started using a new pen name: Ricardo Arenales. He used this name until 1922. In that year, while in Guatemala, he chose another pen name. This was Porfirio Barba-Jacob, the name he would use for the rest of his life. Around 1907, still in Barranquilla, he wrote his first poems. Some of these early works include "Árbol viejo" (Old Tree) and "Campiña florida" (Flowery Countryside). His most famous poem, "Canción de la vida profunda" (Song of the Deep Life), was also written around this time.
Travels and Later Life
Journeys Through Many Countries
During his travels through Central America, Mexico, and the United States, he wrote for many magazines and journals. He became friends with Porfirio Díaz, a former president of Mexico. Later, he had disagreements with Manuel José Estrada Cabrera, who was then the president of Guatemala. Because of these political issues, Barba-Jacob had to leave Guatemala and go to Cuba.
Returning to Mexico and Final Years
In 1918, he returned to Mexico. It is believed that he wrote a biography about the famous revolutionary leader Pancho Villa there. In 1922, he was asked to leave Mexico by President Álvaro Obregón. He then went back to Guatemala. However, in 1924, he was again expelled, this time by Jorge Ubico, another Guatemalan leader. Barba-Jacob then traveled to El Salvador. After being deported by Alfonso Quiñones, he went to Honduras, New Orleans, and Cuba. In 1927, he returned to Colombia. He gave some poetry readings and wrote for the Colombian newspaper El Espectador. After this, he left Colombia for what would be his last trip abroad.
He passed away in 1942 from tuberculosis in Mexico City. Four years after his death, on January 11, 1946, the Colombian government brought his ashes back to Colombia. They were placed in the Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres, a special place for famous people.
Main Works
- Poemas intemporales (Timeless Poems)
See also
In Spanish: Porfirio Barba Jacob para niños
