Historians - Ecuadorian Literature

Ana María Goetschel

Ana María Goetschel Garzón is an Ecuadorian historian and professor emerita at FLACSO Ecuador. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from the University of Amsterdam and a Master’s in Andean History from FLACSO Ecuador. Her research focuses on the history of women, education, and gender studies, particularly exploring the origins of feminism and the role of punitive action in Ecuadorian history. She has authored several influential works, including Moral y orden: La delincuencia y el castigo en los inicios de la modernidad en Ecuador (2019) and Cartas Públicas de Mujeres Ecuatorianas (2013), and has received numerous accolades, including the Premio Manuela Sáenz in 2019.

Germán Arteta Vargas

Germán Arteta Vargas (Guayaquil, Ecuador, 1940) is a prominent Ecuadorian historian, journalist, educator, and author. Known for his dedication to preserving Ecuadorian history and culture, he has published several influential works, including Guayaquil nostálgico (2009), Cantos a Guayaquil (2011), and Qué chévere (2012). His writing often focuses on civic education, folklore, and national identity. In 2019, he was inducted as a Corresponding Member of the National Academy of History in recognition of his contributions to the historical and cultural heritage of Ecuador.

Rigoberto Cordero y León

Rigoberto Cordero y León (Cuenca, June 11, 1916 – Cuenca, August 1998) was an Ecuadorian poet, writer, and scholar whose work significantly contributed to the development of Ecuadorian literature. Known for his extensive body of poetry, biographies, and essays, his writings explored themes of music, culture, and national identity, and were translated into multiple languages. Cordero y León received numerous awards, including the Fray Vicente Solano Decoration, and curated anthologies that highlighted the richness of Cuenca’s literary tradition.

Oswaldo Albornoz Peralta

Oswaldo Albornoz Peralta (Cuenca, May 8, 1920 – Quito, November 27, 2000) was an Ecuadorian historian, educator, and Marxist intellectual. Known for his critical works on Ecuadorian social history, Albornoz applied a Marxist lens to topics such as indigenous uprisings, labor movements, and the role of the church in Ecuador’s political development. He authored numerous influential books, including Historia de la Acción Clerical en el Ecuador (1963) and Bolívar: Visión Crítica (1990), and was a key figure in the Ecuadorian Communist Party. His contributions earned him national recognition, including an honorary doctorate from the Universidad Central del Ecuador.

Pedro Fermín Cevallos

Pedro Fermín Cevallos Villacreses (Ambato, July 7, 1812 – Quito, May 21, 1893) was an Ecuadorian historian, lawyer, and politician known for his significant contributions to the country’s historiography and legal system. A key figure in 19th-century Ecuador, he authored the six-volume Resumen de la Historia del Ecuador desde su origen hasta 1845 (1870; “Summary of the History of Ecuador from its Origin until 1845”), the first comprehensive account of the nation’s history. Initially a liberal, he later shifted towards conservatism and served as Minister of Government and Foreign Relations, as well as a Supreme Court judge. Cevallos was also the first president of the Ecuadorian Academy of Language, playing a vital role in Ecuador’s intellectual development.

Pablo Guerrero Gutiérrez

Fidel Pablo Guerrero Gutiérrez (Quito, Ecuador, November 1, 1962) is a prominent Ecuadorian musical historian, researcher, and author. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Guerrero has written more than 20 books on Ecuadorian music, including the comprehensive Enciclopedia de la música ecuatoriana. He studied at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música and holds a degree in Musical Pedagogy from the Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Guerrero is the founder of the Corporación Musicológica Ecuatoriana (CONMÚSICA) and has been recognized by the Academia Nacional de Historia for his extensive contributions to preserving Ecuador’s musical heritage.

Augusto César Saltos

Augusto César Saltos Jarrín (Guaranda, December 18, 1899 – Guaranda, August 26, 1976) was a prominent Ecuadorian lawyer, writer, and cultural advocate. He served as a member of the Supreme Court of Justice and was deeply involved in social justice, advocating for the rights of workers and indigenous peoples. A co-founder of the Socialist Party in Ecuador, Saltos also participated in international peace conferences. He was a prolific author, known for his dramas, such as El Minero (1940) and Queriendo ser Grande (1943), which addressed social issues, and for works on Ecuadorian history and folklore, including El Cacique Huaranga (1969). Saltos led the Bolívar branch of the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana from 1952 to 1970.

Irving Iván Zapater

Irving Iván Zapater (Quito, 1944) is an Ecuadorian lawyer, historian, and cultural leader. He holds a Doctorate in Jurisprudence with postgraduate studies in Economics from La Sapienza University in Rome and in History from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. A long-time professor and former Vice Dean at the Faculty of Jurisprudence at his alma mater, Zapater also served as Director of the Central Bank of Ecuador’s Center for Research and Culture (1981-1993) and led the National Council of Culture (1999-2000). He has authored several notable works on Ecuadorian history and economics, including La Vida de Cada Día and Imágenes del Ecuador en el Siglo XX, and was Director of the Revista Nacional de Cultura.

José Páez Gracia

José Patricio Páez Gracia, an Ecuadorian author and historian, has emerged as a pivotal figure in documenting the rich history of Esmeraldas, a province in Ecuador. His book, “Esmeraldas del ayer,” published by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in 2019, spans 141 pages and is enriched with around 130 photographs. Páez’s work provides an insightful look into the region’s past, highlighting key historical events and figures such as Luis Vargas Torres and Eloy Alfaro. His dedication to this project, rooted in his family’s legacy of educators, showcases his commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Esmeraldas for future generations.

Roque Espinosa

Roque Espinosa Chávez (1951) is a distinguished historian and author, renowned for his in-depth and critical analysis of Latin American history, with a particular focus on Ecuador. His expertise is not limited to historical analysis; he has also made significant contributions in the realm of fiction, as evidenced by his work “Me descambias la vida,” which was honored with the prestigious Premio Joaquín Gallegos Lara. This recognition showcases his versatility and skill in both academic and literary domains. His work, characterized by meticulous research and theoretical rigor, has significantly contributed to the understanding of regional economic and social history. Notable publications include “Hacienda, comunidad y concertaje” (1986), “Parentesco y reproducción en Manabí” (1990), and “Las fronteras con Colombia” (2008). His book “Desmemoria y olvido: la economía arrocera en la Cuenca del Guayas 1900-1950,” a refined version of his Cum Laude doctoral thesis, stands as a testament to his scholarly excellence. This work delves into the rice industry in Ecuador, illuminating a previously understudied aspect of the nation’s economic and social history. Espinosa’s ability to intertwine economic data with cultural and social insights has not only enriched academic discourse but has also brought to light the lesser-known facets of Ecuador’s past. His dedication to uncovering and critically analyzing historical narratives has earned him recognition and respect in academic circles.

Jaime E. Rodríguez O.

Jaime Edmundo Rodríguez Ordóñez (Guayaquil, April 12, 1940 – Los Angeles, USA, June 27, 2022) was a celebrated Ecuadorean-American professor, researcher, and historian. His work focused on the history of New Spain, Mexico, the Presidency of Quito, and the independence period in Hispanic America. Rodríguez Ordóñez’s notable contributions to historiography include his profound analysis of the impact of Spain’s Constitutional Monarchy and the independence movements in Latin America. His works, such as “Nosotros somos ahora los verdaderos españoles” and “The Forging of the Cosmic Race,” offer insightful reinterpretations of colonial Mexico and the emergence of Hispano-American identity. He held academic positions at prestigious institutions, including the University of California, Irvine, and was a member of the National Academy of History of Ecuador and the Mexican Academy of History. Rodríguez Ordóñez’s unique perspective on the interconnectedness of Hispanic America with global events during the Atlantic Revolutions significantly enriched the understanding of Latin American history and its complex journey towards independence and nation-building.

Efrén Avilés Pino

Efrén Avilés Pino (Guayaquil, February 26, 1947 – Ibidem, December 31, 2009) was a renowned Ecuadorian historian, writer, and university professor. Educated at the University of Guayaquil, he significantly contributed to Ecuador’s historical research, emphasizing the Province of Guayaquil’s role in national independence. His acclaimed works include the “Enciclopedia del Ecuador” and “Historia del Ecuador.” Also notable in the music industry, Avilés composed the anthem for Club Sport Emelec. A member of the National Academy of History, he resigned amid controversies over historical perspectives. Honored with the Merit of Commandeur in 2002, his legacy in Ecuadorian history and culture is enduring.

Jenny Estrada

Jenny Estrada, or Jenny María Estrada Ruiz (Guayaquil, June 21, 1940 – February 9, 2024) was an eminent Ecuadorian writer, journalist, and historian. Her impactful career began at “El Universo” in 1968, where she was the first woman to serve as an editorialist, pioneering female representation in Ecuadorian journalism. Estrada’s work, deeply rooted in socio-political and cultural analysis, reflects her commitment to uncovering Ecuador’s diverse narratives, particularly the roles and challenges of women. Her notable literary contributions include “Las mujeres de Guayaquil, siglo XVI al XX” and “Matilde Hidalgo de Prócel, una mujer total,” which highlight women’s significant but often overlooked contributions to Ecuadorian history. Estrada’s dedication extends beyond writing; she was instrumental in founding the “Museo Municipal de la Música Popular Julio Jaramillo,” preserving Ecuador’s rich musical heritage. Her esteemed memberships in the National Academy of History of Ecuador and the Spanish Royal Academy of History, along with numerous cultural merit awards, mark her as a pivotal figure in shaping Ecuador’s cultural and historical consciousness. She worked as a columnist under the pseudonym María Ignacia.

Estelina Quinatoa Cotacachi

Estelina Quinatoa Cotacachi (Riobamba, October 1, 1953) is a distinguished Ecuadorian historian and curator of Kichwa Otavalo heritage. Her extensive qualifications include a Bachelor’s in Applied Anthropology from the Salesian Polytechnic University, a Master’s in Conservation and Cultural Asset Management from Universidad SEK, and the title of Anthropology expert from Universidad Abierta de Loja. She has contributed significantly as an Educational Guide at the Museum and Galleries of the Central Bank of Ecuador and later as an Assistant at the Archaeological Reserve of the Central Bank of Ecuador. Internationally acclaimed, she has conducted courses and conferences across the Americas and Europe. Her prolific publications and research reflect her unwavering commitment to preserving Ecuador’s cultural heritage, culminating in her prestigious induction into the National Academy of History of Ecuador in June 2021.

Mariana Ochoa Loayza

Mariana Ochoa Loayza is an accomplished Ecuadorian historian and writer. Her contributions to historical research and literature have earned her widespread recognition and respect. Notably, her books “Vicente Rocafuerte. Gobernación de Guayaquil 1839 – 1843. Epistolario” (Volumes 1 and 2), “Gobernación de Guayaquil, 1839-1840: Epistolario,” and “Viajeros por El Oro” have become invaluable resources for understanding Ecuador’s history and cultural heritage. Her expertise lies in meticulously compiling and analyzing historical documents, providing profound insights into the lives of prominent figures and transformative eras. Mariana Ochoa Loayza’s dedication to her craft has garnered numerous awards and accolades, cementing her status as a revered figure in Ecuadorian academia and literature. Her enduring legacy ensures that her work continues to enlighten and inspire generations of scholars and readers alike.