Tulio Febres Cordero: The multifaceted humanist writer (+Christmas)
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Published at: 31/05/2024 08:12 AM
On May 31, 1860, Tulio Febres Cordero, considered the patriarch of Merida's literature, was born in Mérida. He received his first teachings from his parents and uncles Favio Febres-Cordero and Indalecia Almarza, and then went on to the Mérida Boys' School.
In 1871 he entered the University of Los Andes to take courses in Latinity and Philosophy, graduating from high school seven years later. During this stage he learns several crafts that will later be of great use to him in the future: shoe making, watchmaking, typography, binding, calligraphy, drawing and painting. At the University he began studying law, a career that culminated in 1882, receiving his doctorate 18 years later.
After that, he began his work as a typographer and journalist. He founded several newspapers and magazines that, in addition, he manages, acts as an editor, or in which he simply collaborates, such as Páginas Sueltas and El Comercio, both together with José Antonio Parra Picón; El Lápiz, El Centavo, El Billete, El Mosaico, the latter with his son José Rafael Febres-Cordero.
His activity at the Universidad de los Andes was long and fruitful, especially as professor of Universal History, which led to his appointment as interim vice-rector and honorary rector.
As for his work in general, it could be classified as multifaceted, covering aspects specific to history, literature, anthropology, law, education and other branches of knowledge. It is not uncommon then that his writing is expressed in different genres: chronicle, essay, short story, novel and poetry.
His heterogeneous intellectual output was characterized by addressing together the facts of big or formal history (conquests, foundations, revolutions, wars, etc.) with those of small or everyday history (customs, beliefs, ways of life, etc.). He unveiled traditions, myths and legends, expressions that, although not part of academic history, help to understand peoples, in this case the Andean region.
Mazo News Team