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Jose HierroSpanish poet of the first post-war generation
Date of Birth: 03.04.1922
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Life and Early Career
- Imprisonment and Literary Debut
- Literary Recognition and Career
- Existential Testimony and Critical Acclaim
- Health Issues and Legacy
Life and Early Career
José Hierro was a prominent Spanish poet of the "Generation of the Fifties," born into a telegrapher's family in 1922 in Madrid. His youth was marked by the Spanish Civil War, which interrupted his studies in mechanical engineering. During the war, he published his first poems in 1937.
Imprisonment and Literary Debut
Ironfather's imprisonment and subsequent death in 1939 left a profound impact on the young poet. Hierro himself was arrested and sentenced to 12 years for aiding political prisoners. He was released in 1944 and settled in Valencia, where he worked various jobs while writing his debut poetry collection, "Tierra sin nosotros" (1947).
Literary Recognition and Career
"Alegría," another collection from 1947, won the prestigious Adonais Prize. Hierro's work gained international recognition with a selection of his poems published in French in 1951. In Madrid, he worked in publishing and edited a literary journal. Notably, Hierro never wrote at home, preferring to create in the ambiance of cafes.
Existential Testimony and Critical Acclaim
While often associated with social poets, Hierro's work was not explicitly political. His poetry delved into existential themes, bearing witness to the human condition. His collections "Libro de las alucinaciones" (1964) and "Cuaderno de Nueva York" (1998) are hailed by critics as seminal works of 20th-century Spanish poetry.
Health Issues and Legacy
A heavy smoker, Hierro suffered a heart attack in 2000, complicated by emphysema. He passed away in 2002. José Hierro's legacy as a poet of the "Generation of the Fifties" remains significant, with his work being translated and studied around the world, including several poems published in Russian in the journal "Inostrannaya Literatura."
