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Roberto Noble

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Roberto Noble was a prominent Argentine politician, journalist, and publisher. He is most famous for founding Clarín, which became a leading daily newspaper in Argentina. It also grew to be one of the most widely read newspapers in the Spanish-speaking world.

Roberto Noble
Roberto Noble

Noble's life moved from the halls of government to the world of mass media.

Noble was born in La Plata, Argentina, in 1902. As a young man, he became interested in socialist ideology. He gained recognition in 1918 for his work to reform the Argentine university system. At that time, the university curriculum was mostly controlled by conservative Catholics. After earning a law degree from the National University of La Plata, he joined the Socialist Party of Argentina. He later became part of the Independent Socialists, a group that sought different political alliances.

His political career involved many different roles and challenges. Noble was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Congress, representing Buenos Aires until 1936. During his time in office, he introduced several progressive bills. One major achievement was Law 11723, which established the basis for Argentina's Law of Intellectual and Artistic Property.

Roberto Noble con su hija y Frondizi
Roberto Noble con su hija y Frondizi

In 1935, he was elected governor of the Province of Buenos Aires. As governor, he supported projects for new highways and housing. He also served as the minister of government, a position that caused tension with more conservative members of his political coalition.

Political conflicts eventually changed the direction of Noble's life. In 1940, political maneuvering led to the election of a different candidate, which caused Noble to leave direct politics. He did not stop working in public life immediately, however. He became the head of the National Commission for Culture, a body he helped create. This transition allowed him to move from making laws to promoting culture and information.

In 1945, Noble made a massive investment to start a new newspaper. He sold his estate, including a large ranch in the pampas, for US$1.6 million. On August 28, 1945, he launched Clarín. The newspaper used a "Berliner" format, which was smaller and more manageable than the large broadsheets used by competitors.

Roberto Noble
Roberto Noble

The layout was also very different. It featured large headlines, short introductory text, and many illustrations. This design made the paper very reader-friendly. This innovative style eventually influenced newspaper layouts in other countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

Clarín found success by maintaining a sense of neutrality. While other major newspapers like La Nación and La Prensa were often very critical of President Juan Perón, Clarín focused on social and economic development. The paper provided many facts, figures, and anecdotes. This approach helped it connect with the Argentine middle class.

Clarin 30 07 52
Clarin 30 07 52

By 1965, Clarín had the largest circulation in Argentina. Noble continued to innovate by adding weekly color supplements and thematic inserts to the publication.

Noble's work earned him international recognition. In 1951, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Malta. In 1955, he received the Maria Moors Cabot prize from Columbia University. These awards recognized his significant contributions to journalism and business. Throughout his career, he also supported economic policies that encouraged industrial and energy production in Argentina.

In his later years, Noble focused on charity and his personal life. He established the Noble Foundation in 1966 to support various causes. He also married his longtime companion, Ernestina Herrera, in 1967. Roberto Noble died in Buenos Aires in 1969 at the age of 66. He is buried in the La Recoleta Cemetery, leaving behind a media legacy that remains influential today.

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File:Roberto Noble.jpg
Roberto Noble.jpg
File:Clarin 30 07 52.jpg
Clarin 30 07 52.jpg
File:Roberto Noble con su hija y Frondizi.jpg
Roberto Noble con su hija y Frondizi.jpg
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