Piedad Larrea Borja (Quito, December 21, 1912 – Quito, June 2001) was an Ecuadorian writer, poet, philologist, and professor. As the first woman to join the Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua (Ecuadorian Academy of Language), where she served as secretary for many years, she played a significant role in Ecuadorian intellectual life. She earned a doctorate in Hispanic Philology from the University of Salamanca and later taught at the Universidad Central del Ecuador. Her literary works, which include essays, poetry, and linguistic studies, address themes of Ecuadorian identity, language, and social issues. In 1994, she was awarded the prestigious “Manuela Espejo” Prize by the Municipality of Quito, further cementing her legacy as a pioneering figure in Ecuadorian culture and education.
Early Life and Education
Piedad Larrea Borja was born on December 21, 1912, in Quito, Ecuador, to a prominent family. Her father, Alberto Larrea Chiriboga, was a well-known public figure and one of Ecuador’s leading economists, having held numerous influential positions such as Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the Central Bank. Her mother, Judith Borja Larrea, descended from notable Spanish and Navarrese aristocracy, including the noble Borja family. This illustrious heritage helped shape Piedad’s intellectual trajectory from an early age.
Larrea Borja received her primary and secondary education at home, before pursuing higher education at the Universidad Central del Ecuador, where she later became a professor at the Faculty of Medicine. She continued her academic journey in Spain, specializing in Hispanic Philology at the University of Salamanca.
Literary Career
Piedad Larrea Borja’s literary contributions spanned multiple genres, including essays, poetry, and academic works. She published several notable books such as Abenhazam en la literatura arábigoespañola (1960), a study of Arab-Spanish literature, and Dolor de ser buena (1978), a poetry collection. Her essays demonstrated her critical engagement with history, philosophy, and Ecuadorian society. She also explored linguistic topics, such as in Habla femenina quiteña (1968), which examined language use among women in Quito.
A member of the Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua, she was the first woman to be inducted into this prestigious institution, serving as its secretary for many years. Her membership in the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana and her role as a columnist for the newspaper El Día further exemplified her prominence in Ecuadorian intellectual circles.
Political and Academic Involvement
In addition to her literary career, Larrea Borja was involved in politics. In 1960, she served as a deputy representing the province of Pichincha. Her academic roles were equally significant. She held teaching positions at the Universidad Central del Ecuador, as well as in various secondary schools, including Liceo Fernández Madrid and Colegio María Eufrasia.
Legacy and Recognition
Throughout her life, Piedad Larrea Borja was recognized for her intellectual contributions. In 1994, she was awarded the prestigious “Manuela Espejo” Prize by the Municipality of Quito. She also received numerous accolades from cultural organizations both in Ecuador and abroad. Her writing and intellectual contributions remain a key part of Ecuador’s cultural and academic heritage, and her pioneering role in academia and politics paved the way for future generations of women in these fields. She lived in Quito for most of her life, passing away in June 2001 at the age of 88.
Selected Works
Among her works are:
- Biografía de la mujer en el Ecuador: Romanticismo y siglo XX (1943)
- Italia sin máscara (1942)
- Ensayos (1946)
- Nombres eternos: senderos (1954)
- Juglaresca en España (1965)
- Oníricos y cuentostorias (1990)
- Castellano y lexicografía médica ecuatoriana (1986)
References
- Wikipedia (Spanish): Piedad Larrea Borja. Retrieved on September 23, 2024.
- Centro Cultural Benjamín Carrión: Piedad Larrea Borja, Ensayista – Morayma Ofir Carvajal. Retrieved on September 23, 2024.