Jose Clavijo y FajardoSpanish writer
Country: Spain
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Content:
José Clavijo y Fajardo: A Literary Figure and Controversial Royal Archivist
José Clavijo y Fajardo, a Spanish writer and royal archivist, gained notoriety for his involvement in a scandalous affair and its literary repercussions.
Intimate Affair and Broken Promise
Clavijo's personal life took a dramatic turn when he engaged in an intimate relationship with Marie-Anne Caron, the sister of French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais. Despite promising to marry her, Clavijo ultimately broke his word, leaving Caron devastated and seeking retribution.
Beaumarchais's Revenge
In 1764, Beaumarchais arrived in Madrid and confronted Clavijo, demanding a written admission of his dishonorable behavior. With this confession in hand, Beaumarchais successfully orchestrated Clavijo's removal from his position as royal archivist. The ensuing controversy inspired Beaumarchais to write his renowned play "The Marriage of Figaro" and Goethe's "Clavigo," both of which portrayed Clavijo as a heartless seducer.
Later Career and Literary Contributions
Despite the scandal, Clavijo continued his literary pursuits. In 1773, he assumed the editorship of the journal "Mercurio histórico y político." His most significant work was the translation of Buffon's "Histoire naturelle" into Spanish, published between 1791 and 1802. This translation made Buffon's groundbreaking work accessible to Spanish readers and contributed to the dissemination of scientific knowledge during the Enlightenment.