Efraín Torres Chaves (Guaranda) was a distinguished Ecuadorian lawyer, professor, and prolific author in the fields of law and social sciences. He served as a professor of criminal law at the Faculty of Jurisprudence and Social Sciences of the Universidad Central del Ecuador for 35 years and held prominent positions such as President of the Academy of Lawyers and the Academy of Law and Social Sciences of Quito. He also served as a Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice and president of its Second Chamber in 1980. Torres Chaves published numerous works, including El crimen del silencio (1990), La trayectoria de los semi-locos (1952), Pirámides truncadas, and Breves Comentarios al Código Penal del Ecuador (four volumes), for which he won the Gold Medal in 1979. His extensive contributions to legal scholarship, particularly in criminal law, earned him national recognition and several awards.
Literary and Scholarly Career
Efraín Torres Chaves was a distinguished Ecuadorian legal scholar and prolific author whose extensive body of work left a lasting impact on the country’s legal and literary fields. His Breves Comentarios al Código Penal del Ecuador (1990) stands as one of his most influential contributions, offering a comprehensive multi-volume analysis of Ecuador’s penal code, which became a critical resource for legal professionals. In addition to his legal scholarship, Torres Chaves delved into various areas of criminal justice and societal issues. His El crimen del silencio (1948) is a significant legal study that explores judicial errors and miscarriages of justice. La trayectoria de los semi-locos (1952) presents a psychological examination of criminal behavior, reflecting his interest in the intersection of law and psychology.
In the realm of drama, Torres Chaves demonstrated his literary talents through works like Pirámides truncadas, a dramatic piece, and El caso Rodríguez: drama en tres actos y en prosa (1969), which further showcased his ability to blend legal themes with storytelling. He also explored contemporary social issues, as seen in his work ¿Matrimonio homosexual? (2004), tackling then-taboo topics with an intellectual approach.
Additionally, his legal writings cover a wide range of topics. His Breves Comentarios al Código de Procedimiento Penal del Ecuador (2001) provided in-depth commentary on criminal procedures, and his Práctica Penal (1986) served as a practical guide for legal practitioners in Ecuador. He also addressed issues such as early delinquency in La delincuencia precoz y las pandillas en el Ecuador (2003), and the dark aspects of human behavior in Atrocidades sexuales en el Ecuador (1987) and El incesto y la violación de niños (1997).
Torres Chaves also contributed to Ecuadorian cultural history with his book Vida y obra de don Juan León Mera (1994), with collaboration from historians Humberto Oña Villarreal and Gonzalo Estupiñán Tello. The book offers a detailed historical account of the renowned Ecuadorian writer and politician, highlighting his contributions to literature and national identity. Torres Chaves’ wide-ranging work across legal, dramatic, and historical genres reflects his versatility as a scholar and author.
Selected Works
- El crimen del silencio (1948)
- La trayectoria de los semi-locos (1952)
- Pirámides truncadas (date unknown)
- El caso Rodríguez: drama en tres actos y en prosa (1969)
- Mi entrevista con el Dr. Wentland (1967)
- Breves Comentarios al Código Penal del Ecuador (1990)
- Breves Comentarios al Código de Procedimiento Penal del Ecuador (2001)
- Atrocidades sexuales en el Ecuador (1987)
- ¿Matrimonio homosexual? (2004)
- La delincuencia precoz y las pandillas en el Ecuador (2003)
- El sádico y las niñas (1980)
- Lorena, el ocaso del machismo (1994)
- El incesto y la violación de niños (1997)
- Breves Comentarios al Código de la Niñez y la Adolescencia (2003)
- Breves comentarios a la Ley de comercio electrónico, firmas digitales (2002)
- Breves comentarios a la Ley orgánica de defensa del consumidor (2003)
- La premeditación no es agravante de responsabilidad (1965, republished in 1986 and 2003)
- Práctica penal (1986)
- Vida y obra de don Juan León Mera (1994)
- El cheque en la legislación penal (date unknown)
References
- Google Books. “Books by Efraín Torres Chaves.” Retrieved on September 25, 2024.
- Biblioteca Municipal de Cuenca. “Works by Efraín Torres Chaves.” Retrieved on September 25, 2024.