Posts - Ecuadorian Literature

Carlos Eduardo Jaramillo

Carlos Eduardo Jaramillo Castillo (Loja, 1932) is an Ecuadorian poet, lawyer, and former minister judge of the Supreme Court of Justice. His major works include: “Escrito sobre la arena, 150 poemas” [Written on the sand, 150 poems] (1960), “La Trampa” [The Trap] (1964), “Maneras de vivir y de morir” [Ways to Live and Die] (1965), “La noche y los vencidos” [The Night and the Vanquished] (1967) and “Las desvelaciones de Jacob” [Jacob’s Revelations] (1970). He was on the General Board of the House of Ecuadorian Culture, representing Guayas. He was also the institution’s deputy director. He was awarded the Eugenio Espejo Prize in Literature in 2007 by the President of Ecuador.

Horacio Hidrovo Velásquez

Horacio Hidrovo Velásquez (Santa Ana, May 20, 1902 – Portoviejo, April 19, 1962) was an Ecuadorian poet, novelist, and short story writer. His most celebrated work, “Un Hombre y un Río” (1957), encapsulates his profound connection to the Ecuadorian coastal life, blending vivid narrative with social commentary. Velásquez played a significant role in the cultural sphere, serving as the President of the House of Ecuadorian Culture in Manabí in 1957, where he was instrumental in promoting the arts and literature.

Federico González Suárez

Federico González Suárez (Quito, April 12, 1844 – Quito, December 1, 1917) was an Ecuadorian priest, historian and politician who served as the Archbishop of Quito for twelve years. Prior to becoming the Archbishop of Quito, he served as a senator in the Ecuadorian government in 1894 and then as the Bishop of Ibarra from 1895 to 1905. He wrote several books about the history of Ecuador, among them the book Historia General de la República del Ecuador, which is considered a masterpiece for its objectivity, painstaking research and erudition. He was not shy about criticizing the Church in Ecuador for abuses during the colonial period. The publication of the fourth volume of his history in 1894 was particularly scandalous since it uncovered the sexual liaisons of seventeenth-century Dominican friars in Quito. Although this work drew criticism from his superiors, he was ultimately vindicated, with the Vatican acknowledging the veracity of his analysis.

Luis Félix López

Luis Ramón Félix López (Calceta, August 25, 1932 – Guayaquil, December 17, 2008) was an Ecuadorian doctor and politician, as well as an award-winning novelist, short story writer and poet. He held many senior government posts during his lifetime and served two terms as president of the Guayas branch of the House of Ecuadorian Culture. His 1973 novel “Los designios,” was finalist for that year’s International Novel Award (Mexico), and his 1996 novel “La noche de rebaño,” won the Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize. He also published several short story books and a collection of poetry.

Miguel Donoso Pareja

Miguel Donoso Pareja (Guayaquil, July 13, 1931 – Ibidem, March 16, 2015) was an acclaimed Ecuadorian writer whose literary contributions left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of his country. Known for his experimental narrative style, introspective explorations of themes, and dedication to promoting literature, Donoso Pareja’s impact extended far beyond the pages of his books. Through his workshops and mentorship, he nurtured the talents of aspiring writers, fostering a new generation of literary voices. His works, ranging from novels and poetry to essays and short stories, challenged conventions and invited readers to engage with complex ideas. Despite facing health challenges in his later years, Donoso Pareja’s passion for literature remained unwavering until his passing. His legacy as a writer, mentor, and cultural advocate endures, continuing to inspire and enrich the literary world in Ecuador and beyond. In recognition of his contribution to Ecuadorian literature, he was bestowed the Eugenio Espejo Prize in 2006, Ecuador’s highest literary award.

Agustin Cueva

Agustin Cueva Davila (Ibarra, September 23, 1937 – Quito, May 1, 1992) was an Ecuadorian writer, literary critic, and marxist sociologist. He was awarded the Eugenio Espejo Prize in Science in 1991, by the President of Ecuador. Some of his works have been translated into other languages, such as English, Japanese and Korean.

Fernando Chaves

Fernando Chaves Reyes (Otavalo, February 13, 1902 – Quito, 1999) was an Ecuadorian novelist, essayist, journalist, diplomat, and politician. He is best known for his novel Plata y bronce (1927), which pioneered the indigenist movement in Ecuadorian literature, depicting the social struggles of indigenous communities. His literary work influenced future generations, including Jorge Icaza, author of Huasipungo. In addition to his literary career, Chaves served as Ecuador’s ambassador to several countries and held the position of Minister of Education. In 1991, he was awarded the National Grand Cross of the Order of Merit.

Gabriel Cevallos García

Gabriel Cevallos García (Cuenca, Ecuador, January 6, 1913 – Tampa, Florida, March 16, 2004) was an Ecuadorian writer, historian, professor, and philosopher. He was the rector of the University of Cuenca from 1964 to 1968 and founder, professor, and dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the university. He taught for some years at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, where he settled in 1969 to work as a teacher. He was a member of the Ecuadorian Academy of Language and the National Academy of History. He was awarded the Eugenio Espejo Award in 1988 by the President of Ecuador.

Ramón Borrero y Cortázar

Ramón Borrero y Cortázar (Cuenca, September 8, 1824 – 1895) was an Ecuadorian scholar and writer. He briefly served as president of Ecuador from October 11, 1883 until February 17, 1884. The provisional government’s mandate having expired without it having named an interim President, Borrero assumed the role as a result of his holding the position of President of the Senate. He was a delegate to both the 1861 and 1884 Constitutional Conventions. He was exiled by order of the Supreme Leader Ignacio de Veintemilla and lived for many years in Peru and Chile. After Veintemilla’s overthrow in 1883, he was authorized to return to Ecuador, where he worked as a lawyer, journalist, and writer until his death.

Antonio Borrero y Cortázar

Antonio Borrero y Cortázar, born Antonio María Vicente Narciso Borrero y Cortázar (Cuenca, October 29, 1827 – Quito, October 9, 1911) was an Ecuadorian lawyer, politician, writer, and journalist who served as the President of Ecuador from 1875 to 1876. Known for his commitment to constitutionalism and civil liberties, Borrero was also an influential figure in Ecuadorian literature and journalism. He founded several newspapers, including La República and El Centinela, using them to advocate for political reform and decentralization. His notable literary works include a biography of Fray Vicente Solano and a refutation of a pro-García Moreno biography, reflecting his dedication to both intellectual and political life.

Pablo Balarezo Moncayo

Pablo Balarezo Moncayo (Ambato, 10 December 1904 – 23 January 1999) was an Ecuadorian poet, journalist and essayist^. He was active in the literary and cultural circles of his native city, Ambato, and in those of Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil. In Guayaquil, in 1934, he directed the Sunday Literary Supplement of the newspaper El Universo. He was named Director of the House of Montalvo in 1966 and Director of the National Library in 1972.

Víctor Manuel Albornoz

Víctor Manuel Albornoz Cabanilla (Lima, March 23, 1896 – Cuenca, October 26, 1975) was an Ecuadorian writer, poet, biographer, and historian.

José Martínez Queirolo

José Miguel Martínez Queirolo (Guayaquil, March 22, 1931 – Guayaquil, October 8, 2008) was an Ecuadorian playwright and writer. He was awarded the national theater award on four occasions for his plays, La casa del qué dirán (1962), Los unos vs. Los otros (1968), La dama meona (1976) and La conquista no ha terminado todavía (1983). He was the 2001 recipient of the Eugenio Espejo Award in Literature, awarded to him by Ecuador’s president.

Simón Corral

Simón Corral (Quito, January 5, 1946) is an Ecuadorian poet and dramatist. He studied sociology at the Central University of Ecuador, and was the president of the Federation of University Students of Ecuador. He was later a professor at the Central University of Ecuador.

Fernando Tinajero

Fernando Tinajero Villamar (Quito, January 5, 1940) is an Ecuadorian novelist, essayist, and university professor. In the 1960s he was one of the most active members of Tzantzismo a cultural vanguard movement which had roots in the Cuban revolution. In 1971 he earned a PhD in philosophy from Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) in Prague. He is best known for his essay writing and his novel El desencuentro (1976). He was the 2015 recipient of the Eugenio Espejo Prize in literature awarded by the Ecuadorian president.