Alejandro Andrade Coello (Quito, 1875 – Quito, November 13, 1943) was an Ecuadorian writer, journalist, and educator renowned for his contributions to literature and pedagogy. A longtime professor of literature at the Colegio Nacional Mejía in Quito, he authored over 50 works, including Nociones de Literatura General (1914), El Ecuador Intelectual (1919), Rodó (1917), and Motivos Nacionales (1927), as well as critical essays and biographies of prominent figures. He was a member of international literary institutions, such as the Academia Nacional de Artes y Letras in Cuba, and a vocal advocate for individualized education. His legacy endures as a pioneer in Ecuadorian intellectual and cultural history.
Early Life and Education
Alejandro Andrade Coello was born on December 28, 1888, in Quito, Ecuador, to Miguel Andrade Endara and Juana Coello Olmedo. He completed his early education in Quito and later attended the Colegio de la Santa Infancia and Colegio de San Gabriel. Pursuing higher education, he studied at the Pedagogical Institute in Santiago, Chile, where he earned his baccalaureate.
Academic and Professional Career
Andrade Coello was deeply involved in education and literature throughout his life. He served as a professor of literature for many years at the prestigious Colegio Nacional Mejía in Quito. In addition to his teaching career, he held several academic and administrative roles:
- Director of La Ilustración Militar (1900–1905), a military-focused publication.
- Inspector and Secretary of the Colegio Nacional Mejía in 1908.
- President of the Sociedad Cervantes (1905–1906).
- Member of various international literary and academic institutions, including the Academia Nacional de Artes y Letras in Cuba (1926).
His teaching philosophy emphasized individualized education, reflecting his belief that “the best pedagogical solution is to constantly study the soul of students,” tailoring methods to the abilities and personalities of each learner.
Literary Career
Alejandro Andrade Coello was a prolific and versatile writer who produced over 50 works spanning various genres, including essays, poetry, biographies, literary critiques, and educational studies. His writings often explored themes of Ecuadorian culture, national identity, education, and literary traditions. Known for his meticulous research and clarity, his works made significant contributions to both Ecuadorian and Latin American literature.
One of his most notable accomplishments was the founding and direction of two publications: the monthly journal “La Ilustración Militar” (1900–1905), which focused on military and civic topics, and the “Revista Nacional” (1913), an important platform for intellectual discourse in Ecuador.
Andrade Coello’s published works include critical studies such as Nociones de Literatura General (1914), a comprehensive 530-page textbook on general literary concepts, and Algo Sobre la Novela en la América del Sur (1937), a detailed analysis of South American fiction. He also wrote extensively on educational topics, including El Libro del Maestro: Ruta de la Escuela (1936), a 284-page guide to teaching methodologies, and Algunas Ideas Acerca de Educación (1915), a 366-page critique of the education system.
As a poet, Andrade Coello displayed both lyrical and nationalistic tendencies. His poetry collections include La Tentación – Versos en Agraz (1912), featuring a prologue by Eudófilo Álvarez, and Héroe Epónimo y Otros Poemas Americanos (1923). His novella Pinceladas de la Tierruca: Ensayo de Novela Ecuatoriana (1928) is an experimental exploration of Ecuadorian identity through narrative fiction.
He also excelled as a biographer and literary critic, penning works such as Vargas Vila: Ojeada Crítica de sus Obras (1912), Federico González Suárez (Perfil del Varón Cívico) (1917), and Mujeres de España: La Condesa Emilia Pardo Bazán, Doña Concepción Arenal, Doña Concha Espina (1937). His cultural essays, such as El Alma Ecuatoriana a Través de la Literatura (1938), reflect his deep engagement with Ecuadorian literary identity and history.
In addition to his books, Andrade Coello contributed articles, critiques, and essays to newspapers and literary journals across Ecuador and Latin America. His writing often opposed the modernist literary movement, favoring a more traditional, structured approach. Despite this stance, his work earned recognition both locally and abroad, including membership in international literary institutions like the Academia Nacional de Artes y Letras in Cuba.
Through his literary output and dedication to advancing Ecuadorian literature and education, Alejandro Andrade Coello cemented his legacy as one of the foremost intellectuals of his time.
Personal Life
Andrade Coello married poet María Esther de Andrade Coello, who published two poetry collections and authored a memorial tribute to her husband after his passing. The couple resided in a house on Calle Guayaquil N° 36 in Quito.
Legacy and Recognition
As a respected educator and literary figure, Andrade Coello shaped the intellectual culture of Ecuador. At the Colegio Nacional Mejía in Quito, where Andrade Coello taught literature for many years, he mentored notable figures such as Jorge Carrera Andrade, one of Ecuador’s most renowned poets. Carrera Andrade described him as a “dignified, prolific, and erudite writer.” Andrade Coello’s influence extended beyond Ecuador through his membership in international literary organizations and his published works.
Death
Alejandro Andrade Coello passed away on November 13, 1943, in Quito, after a short illness. His death was widely mourned, and a capilla ardiente (public mourning chapel) was held in his honor.
Timeline of Alejandro Andrade Coello’s Life
- 1875: Born in Quito, Ecuador, to Miguel Andrade Freire and Amalia Coello.
- Late 1800s: Completed his early education in Quito and later attended the Pedagogical Institute in Santiago, Chile, where he earned his baccalaureate.
- 1900–1905: Directed and founded the monthly publication La Ilustración Militar, focused on military and civic topics.
- 1902: Became a member and secretary of the Círculo de Instrucción Libre del Pichincha.
- 1905–1906: Served as president of the Sociedad Cervantes in Quito.
- 1908: Appointed secretary and professor at the Colegio Nacional Mejía in Quito.
- 1910: Promoted to inspector at the Colegio Nacional Mejía.
- 1911: Published Motivos Nacionales: Maldonado, Mejía, Montalvo and Motivos Nacionales: Crónicas Quiteñas.
- 1912: Published the poetry collection La Tentación – Versos en Agraz, featuring a prologue by Eudófilo Álvarez. Also published Vargas Vila: Ojeada Crítica de sus Obras.
- 1913: Founded and directed the publication Revista Nacional. Published Las Brumas de Antonio C. Toledo.
- 1914: Published Nociones de Literatura General, a 530-page textbook on literary concepts.
- 1915: Published Algunas Ideas Acerca de Educación, a 366-page critique of the education system.
- 1917: Published Rodó, a critical analysis of Uruguayan intellectual José Enrique Rodó, and the biography Federico González Suárez (Perfil del Varón Cívico).
- 1919: Published Hacia Imbabura: Impresiones de Viaje Anotadas al Vuelo and El Ecuador Intelectual.
- 1921: Published Juana de Ibarbourou, a study of the renowned Uruguayan poet, and Tres Poetas de la Música.
- 1923: Published Héroe Epónimo y Otros Poemas Americanos.
- 1926: Inducted as a member of the Academia Nacional de Artes y Letras in Cuba.
- 1928: Published Pinceladas de la Tierruca: Ensayo de Novela Ecuatoriana.
- 1931: Published Centenarios y Milenarios.
- 1935: Published A Través de los Libros and Los Genios.
- 1936: Published El Libro del Maestro: Ruta de la Escuela and Manuel J. Calle: Orientaciones Periodísticas.
- 1937: Published Algo Sobre la Novela en la América del Sur and Mujeres de España: La Condesa Emilia Pardo Bazán, Doña Concepción Arenal, Doña Concha Espina.
- 1938: Published El Alma Ecuatoriana a Través de la Literatura.
- 1941: Published La Educación del Hogar.
- 1943: Passed away on November 13 in Quito, Ecuador, after a short but severe illness. A public funeral was held, and his contributions were widely mourned.
Published Works of Alejandro Andrade Coello
- Nociones de Literatura General (1914)
- El Vía Crucis del Orador (1909)
- Rodó (1917)
- Juana de Ibarbourou (1921)
- Motivos Nacionales: Maldonado, Mejía, Montalvo (1911)
- Motivos Nacionales: Crónicas Quiteñas (1911)
- Algunas Ideas Acerca de Educación (1915)
- La Tentación – Versos en Agraz (1912)
- Vargas Vila: Ojeada Crítica de sus Obras (1912)
- La Ley del Progreso (1909)
- Héroe Epónimo y Otros Poemas Americanos (1923)
- Hacia Imbabura: Impresiones de Viaje Anotadas al Vuelo (1919)
- Pinceladas de la Tierruca: Ensayo de Novela Ecuatoriana (1928)
- Federico González Suárez (Perfil del Varón Cívico) (1917)
- Las Brumas de Antonio C. Toledo (1913)
- El Ecuador Intelectual (1919)
- Centenarios y Milenarios (1931)
- Tres Poetas de la Música (1921)
- A Través de los Libros (1935)
- Los Genios (1935)
- El Libro del Maestro: Ruta de la Escuela (1936)
- Algo Sobre la Novela en la América del Sur (1937)
- El Alma Ecuatoriana a Través de la Literatura (1938)
- Mujeres de España: La Condesa Emilia Pardo Bazán, Doña Concepción Arenal, Doña Concha Espina (1937)
- La Educación del Hogar (1941)
- Manuel J. Calle: Orientaciones Periodísticas (1936)
Additional works, including contributions to essays and anthologies, include:
- Discurso Pronunciado por el Rector de la Universidad Nacional (1920)
- Revista Nacional (1913), which he founded and directed.
- Tragedia Floral (Poemita infantil).
- Figuras Educadoras: Antonio Zozaya.
- Eduardo Tamariz: Semblanza a Vuela Pluma.
- El Titán de la Tragedia.
- Juan León Mera Considerado como Crítico.
This list reflects his vast and diverse literary output, showcasing his focus on education, Ecuadorian culture, literary critique, and poetry.
References
- Enciclopedia del Ecuador. Alejandro Andrade Coello. Retrieved on November 21, 2024. Click to view.
- Revista Máquina Combinatoria. Un artista humilde: Alejandro Andrade Coello. Retrieved on November 21, 2024. Click to view.
- Rodolfo Pérez Pimentel. Andrade Coello, Alejandro. Retrieved on November 21, 2024. Click to view.
- Google Books. Alejandro Andrade Coello – List of Published Works. Retrieved on November 21, 2024. Click to view.