Segundo Serrano Poncela facts for kids
Segundo Serrano Poncela (born in 1912 – died on December 9, 1976) was a Spanish politician, writer, and literary expert. He was part of a group of artists and thinkers known as the Generation of '36.
Segundo Serrano Poncela worked for Claridad, a newspaper linked to Francisco Largo Caballero, a key political figure. He was also a member of the Defense Council of Madrid during a difficult time in Spanish history. After the Spanish Civil War, he moved to Latin America and taught literature.
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Segundo Serrano Poncela's Early Life
Segundo Serrano Poncela was born in Madrid, Spain. He studied at the University of Madrid, first earning a degree in arts and then a law degree.
As a student, he joined the Socialist Youth of Spain (FJS). He was part of a group within the FJS that supported Francisco Largo Caballero. He helped edit Renovación, a newspaper for the FJS, and joined its leadership team in 1934.
He also helped bring together the Socialist Youth and the Communist Youth. This led to the creation of the Unified Socialist Youth (JSU). Segundo Serrano Poncela became part of the JSU's leadership.
On November 6, 1936, he joined the Communist Party of Spain. Soon after, he was made deputy of public order for the Defense Council of Madrid, working under Santiago Carrillo. He held this position until November 27, when he either resigned or was asked to leave. During this time, he signed orders for some prisoners to be moved from Madrid's jails.
Life After the Spanish Civil War
Segundo Serrano Poncela remained involved with the JSU until the Spanish Civil War ended. After the war, he went into exile, meaning he left Spain and lived in another country. He stopped being involved in politics completely.
For the rest of his life, he focused on teaching literature at different universities in Latin America.
Segundo Serrano Poncela's Writing Career
Even before he went into exile, Segundo Serrano Poncela had started his writing career. In 1935, he wrote a political essay about the Revolution of 1934, called The Socialist Party and the conquest of power.
While teaching at the University of Santo Domingo, he became more serious about writing. He was the main editor of a literary magazine called Panorama. He also wrote for other Spanish publications, such as Realidad / Revista de ideas in Argentina and Cuadernos del Congreso por la Libertad de la Cultura in Paris.
After teaching in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, he became a professor at the Central University of Venezuela. There, he taught cultural history, literary theory, and Spanish literature. He stayed there until 1970.
In 1970, Simón Bolívar University was founded. The university's leader, Eloy Lares Martínez, asked Segundo Serrano Poncela to help create and lead the new university's department of social sciences and humanities.
Segundo Serrano Poncela wrote both essays and fiction, including short stories and novels. Many of his works were inspired by his experiences during the Spanish Civil War and his time in exile.
What Did Segundo Serrano Poncela Write?
Fiction Books
- Seis relatos y uno más (1954) - A collection of short stories.
- La venda (1956) - More short stories.
- La raya oscura (1959) - Another collection of short stories.
- La puesta de Capricornio (1960) - Short stories.
- Un olor a crisantemo (1961) - Short stories.
- Habitación para hombre solo (1963) - A novel.
- El hombre de la cruz verde (1973) - This is considered one of his most important fiction works. It's a historical novel about the Spanish Inquisition during the time of King Philip II.
- La viña de Nabot (1979) - A novel set during the Spanish Civil War, published after he passed away.
Essay Collections
- El pensamiento de Unamuno (1953)
- Antonio Machado, su mundo y su obra (1954)
- Prosa moderna en la lengua española (1955)
- Huerto de Melibea (1959)
- El secreto de Melibea y otros ensayos (1959)
- Dostoiewuski menor (1959)
- Del Romancero a Machado (1962)
- Formas de vida hispánica (Garcilaso, Quevedo, Godoy y los ilustrados) (1963)
- Estudios sobre Dostoievski (1972)
See also
In Spanish: Segundo Serrano Poncela para niños
