Jorge Manach

Jorge Mañach y Robato (Sagua la Grande, Cuba, February 14, 1898 - San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 25, 1961) was a Cuban writer, journalist, essayist, and philosopher. author of a biography of José Martí and numerous philosophical essays.

Origins and studies

The son of Cuban parents opposed to independence, he left the island with his family for Spain in 1898, from where they would return to Cuba in 1913, settling in Havana. When his father died, he moved to the United States. He graduated in Philosophy and Letters from Harvard University (1920) where he worked as an Instructor (1921), later he continued in Paris (University of Droit, 1922). He returned to Havana and, in 1924, received the title of Doctor of Civil Law and in 1928 that of Doctor of Philosophy and Letters.

Education and culture

As editor of the "Revista de Avance" it gives a generational tone to the literary activity of those years. In his essay production, the biography of novelistic bias "Marti the Apostle"(1933), the examinations of Cuban traits and characters and the costumbrist notes of "Estampas de San Cristobal"(1926) stand out.) and "Indagacion del choteo"(1928); the analyzes of the trends of insular culture: "The crisis of high culture in Cuba"(1925), "Actual past"(1939) and "History and Style&# 34;(1944). His work as a critic began with "Glosario"(1924) culminating in "Examen del Quijotismo" (1951). Endowed with a flexible and agile style, his best stylistic moments are reached when he chooses autobiographical memories as material or when he traces the profile of an illustrious personality such as José Marti. With reformist attitudes that did not manage to break very conservative roots, Manach carried out an encouraging task in the field of culture. In December 1932, he founded the radio program La Universidad del Aire, a pioneering program in Latin America in the use of the mass media for the dissemination of culture.

First professor (since 1940) of History of Philosophy at the University of Havana, who distinguished himself for his active participation in the political life of his time and for his commitment to the development and dissemination of culture in Cuba.

He was a cousin of the Countess consort of Covadonga, Edelmira Sampedro y Robato.

Politics

Active member of the Retail Group of young intellectuals, already in 1923 he participated in his first political activity, the "Protest of the Thirteen", against administrative corruption in the government of Alfredo Zayas and Alfonso. He participated in the 1933 revolution and in struggles against the Batista dictatorship.

He returned in 1959, and the following year he left again, now definitively, dissatisfied with the postulates defended by the Cuban Revolution. He passed away in San Juan, Puerto Rico and his remains rest there.