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Guillermo Prieto

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Guillermo Prieto Pradillo was a central figure in 19th-century Mexico.

Guillermo Prieto Pradillo
Guillermo Prieto Pradillo

He was a prolific novelist, poet, journalist, and politician. Because of his many talents, he was often called Mexico's national poet. His work helped shape the country's culture and its government. Prieto used various pen names in his writing, including Don Benedeno and Fidel. He was a dedicated member of the Liberal Party throughout his life. This political identity guided both his literary and his official government actions.

Prieto's early life in Mexico City was marked by both stability and sudden change. He was born on February 10, 1818, to José María Prieto Gamboa and Josefa Pradillo y Estañol. His family lived near the Molino del Rey, which was next to Chapultepec Castle. His father managed the mill and a nearby bakery. However, when Prieto was 13, his father died. This event caused his mother to suffer a nervous breakdown. Two men, Andrés Quintana Roo and Fernando Calderón, protected him. Their support allowed him to continue his education despite these hardships.

As a young man, Prieto pursued many different professional paths. He worked in a clothing store and in the customs office. In June 1836, he helped found an academy with several other men. They wanted to focus on the "Mexicanization of literature." This group included Manuel Toussaint Ferrer and the Lacunza brothers. Prieto also began a career in journalism. He wrote theater criticism for El Siglo XX. He later helped found a satirical magazine called Don Simplicio with Ignacio Ramírez. These roles allowed him to express his Liberal views through the press.

Prieto's political career was deeply connected to the leaders of the Liberal Party. He served as a personal secretary to Valentín Gómez Farías and Anastasio Bustamante. Under Bustamante, he worked as the editor of El Diario Oficial. He held the position of Minister of Finance under three different presidents: Mariano Arista, Juan Álvarez, and Benito Juárez. He was also elected as a congressional deputy 15 times. In 1856, he represented Puebla in the Constituent Congress. He used his political influence to advocate for the positions held by his party.

During times of great conflict, Prieto showed significant courage. In 1854, he supported the Plan de Ayutla to remove dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna. This led to a period of exile for him in Cadereyta, Guanajuato. During the Reform War, he performed a very brave act in Guadalajara. On March 14, 1858, he stepped between President Benito Juárez and the guns of rebelling guardsmen. His actions prevented the guards from shooting the president. He also composed "Los cangrejos," a satirical song for the Liberal army. This song was played when the army reentered Mexico City in 1861.

Prieto was a highly respected intellectual and educator. He taught political economy and national history at the Military College. He wrote many textbooks, such as Lecciones elementales de economía política. His literary output included many genres, from epic poetry to historical prose. In 1890, the periodical La República held a poll to find the most popular poet in Mexico. Prieto won the poll easily. The writer Ignacio Manuel Altamirano called him the "Mexican poet par excellence."

U meksičkom gradu Veracruzu spomenik
U meksičkom gradu Veracruzu spomenik

His fame was recognized by both the public and his fellow scholars.

In his later years, Prieto was known for his unique personality. Some described him as an eccentric in his manners and appearance. He remained a significant figure in Mexican society until his death. He passed away in Tacubaya on March 2, 1897, at the age of 79. He was surrounded by his second wife, Emilia Golard, as well as his children and grandchildren. His life remains a testament to the connection between literature and political change in Mexico.

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