O'Gaban y Hechavarria, Prudencio, 1796-1846.

Prudencio de Hechavarria y O'Gaban was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1796. He was a lawyer, judge, professor, orator, and eminent poet. Bernardo de Hechavarria y O'Gaban was Prudencio's brother and was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1812. He also studied law and, like his brother, received recognition for his writings, but in his case for political ones instead of poetry.

Prudencio de Hechavarria y O'Gaban was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1796. He was a lawyer, judge, professor, orator, and eminent poet. He attended the Real Colegio Seminario, where he studied under the Cuban social reformer and professor Felix Varela. In 1818, he received his doctorate in civil law from the University of San Carlos de la Habana. Prudencio de Hechavarria y O'Gaban held a number of influential judicial and administrative positions in Cuba and Spain and was honored in Madrid with the Cruz de Carlos III in 1827. At age 23, he wrote a satire published in La Havana, and later reprinted in Paris in 1828, where it was lauded by by the Spanish poet and politician Francisco Martinez de la Rosa, who referred to Prudencio de Hechavarria y O'Gaban as Apolo de Cuba, el indiano que brillo a lo europeo (Apollo of Cuba, the indiano who shined in the European style). Prudencio de Hechavarria y O'Gaban went on to contribute his poetry to a number of publications. He died in Cuba in 1846.

Bernardo de Hechavarria y O'Gaban was Prudencio's brother and was born in Santigo de Cuba in 1812. He also studied law, receiving his degree from the University of Seville, Spain. Returning to Cuba in 1936, he was appointed judge for property and inheritance. Like his brother, Bernardo de Hechavarria y O'Gaban was recognized for his writings, but it was political ones instead of poetry. He moved to Madrid, Spain, in 1847 and held a number of important judicial positions. Recognized for selfless dedication to public responsibilities, he was honored with the title of Marques de O'Gaban in 1858, and, in the following year, he was appointed Senator of the Realm. Bernardo de Hechavarria y O'Gaban died around 1878.