Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

José Hernández (writer)

Role / Field:

Pioneering Argentine writer, poet, and journalist, celebrated for 'Martín Fierro'.

Born:

1834-11-10

Died:

1886-10-21

Century / Era:

1834s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

José Hernández (born José Rafael Hernández y Pueyrredón; 10 November 1834 in Chacras del Perdriel – 21 October 1886 in Buenos Aires) was an Argentine journalist, poet, and politician best known as the author of the epic poem Martín Fierro. In his tribute, his birthday is celebrated in Argentina as a national holiday, called Tradition Day. Hernández, whose ancestry was Spanish, was born on a farm near San Martín, Buenos Aires Province. His father was a majordomo or foreman of a series of cattle ranches.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His career was to be an alternation between stints on the Federal side in the civil wars of Argentina and Uruguay and life as a newspaperman, a short stint as an employee of a commercial firm, and a period as stenographer to the legislature of the Confederation. Hernández founded the newspaper El Río de la Plata, which advocated local autonomy, abolition of the conscripted "frontier contingents", and election of justices of the peace, military commanders, and school boards. He opposed immigration because he believed it undermined the pastoral foundation of the region's wealth. He envisioned a federal republic based on pastoralism, but also featuring a strong system of...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aleksis Kivi — Contemporary (Born in 1834) (1834): The national writer of Finland, credited with the first significant novel in the Finnish language.
• August Weismann — Contemporary (Born in 1834) (1834): Pioneering evolutionary biologist known for the germ plasm theory of inheritance.
• Charles Santley — Contemporary (Born in 1834) (1834): Eminent English baritone of the Victorian era, celebrated for his versatile vocal career.
• Alfonso XIII — Contemporary (Born in 1886) (1886): King of Spain (1886-1931), whose reign spanned constitutional crises and republican upheaval.
• Annette Kellerman — Contemporary (Born in 1886) (1886): Pioneering Australian swimmer, actress, and advocate for modern swimwear.
• Apsley Cherry-Garrard — Contemporary (Born in 1886) (1886): English polar explorer renowned for his Antarctic accounts and survival narratives.
• Aldo Nadi — Shared historical date (11-10 · Died) (1965): Italian fencing champion known for his Olympic success and teaching in the US.
• Archibald Geikie — Shared historical date (11-10 · Died) (1924): Pioneering Scottish geologist, writer, and expert on glacial drift.
• 5th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (10-21 · Born) (1617): Spiritual and political leader of Tibet, unifying the region under the Ganden Phodrang.
• Alfred Nobel — Shared historical date (10-21 · Born) (1833): Pioneering chemist, inventor of dynamite, and founder of the Nobel Prizes.
• 1834 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1834
• November 10 (11-10) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 10
• 1886 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1886
• October 21 (10-21) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 21

Frequently Asked Questions about José Hernández (writer)