Julia de Burgos Poetess Date of Birth: 17.02.1914 Country: USA

1. Biography of Julia de Burgos
2. Early Career and Activism
3. Personal Life and Struggles
4. Tragic End
5. Literary Legacy and Recognition

Biography of Julia de Burgos

Julia de Burgos was a renowned poetess and is considered one of the greatest female poets of Latin America, alongside Gabriela Mistral and Alfonsina Storni. She was born into a poor, large family and was the only one out of thirteen children to receive a higher education. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico.

Early Career and Activism

After completing her education, Julia worked as a teacher in a provincial town and also wrote for the radio. In 1936, she became a member of the Puerto Rican National Party, which fought for the country's independence. She traveled extensively and visited Cuba and New York.

Personal Life and Struggles

Julia de Burgos was married twice, but both marriages ended in separation. In 1940, after her second marriage ended, she returned to New York and pursued a career in journalism. However, she fell into a deep depression, turned to alcohol, and contemplated suicide. In 1946, she was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.

Tragic End

On June 28, 1953, Julia sent her last letter to her family. In July, she was found unconscious on a New York sidewalk and passed away in Harlem Hospital due to pneumonia. Her body was not initially recognized, and she was buried under a false name, with the city covering the expenses. Later, her friends located her grave, and her remains were transported to Puerto Rico, where she was ceremoniously buried in her hometown.

Literary Legacy and Recognition

Julia de Burgos was the author of three poetry collections, with the last one published posthumously. She also wrote poems in English. She cited Pablo Neruda and Rafael Alberti as authors who influenced her work. A complete collection of her poetry has been published in English and French. Renowned composer Leonard Bernstein set some of her poems to music.

In 1987, the University of Puerto Rico awarded Julia de Burgos an honorary doctorate in philology and humanities. Several institutions and centers have been named after her, including the Museum of Science and Art and the House of Women's Protection from Domestic Violence in the capital city. In New York, there are the Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center and the Julia de Burgos Art Center, while Philadelphia has the Julia de Burgos Family Center. A bust of the poetess is erected in the Julia de Burgos Park in Carolina. Her life has also been the subject of several documentary films.