Altamirano, Ignacio Manuel, 1834-1893

Ignacio Manuel Altamirano [1834-1893] was a Mexican poet and novelist of Nahua heritage. He joined Benito Juarez in opposition to Maximilian and played a part in the subsequent reconstruction of the republic. Altamirano served as representative to the national congress, as Supreme Court justice, and as president of the Sociedad Mexicana de Geografía y Estadística. He became Mexico's consul general to Spain in 1889 and to France in 1890. Altamirano's work, which focused on Mexican society, includes: Rimas (1871, of which Special Collections holds "One of two known copies of the first edition"); Clemencia (1869); El Zarco (written 1885-1889, published 1901); Antonia (1872); Beatriz (1873); Cuentos de invierno (1880); and La Navidad en las montañas (1871). Altamirano edited the newspaper Correo de México .

From the guide to the Ignacio M. Altamirano Diary and Photographic Plate (MS 305), 1889-1892, (University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries. Special Collections Dept.)

Novelist, poet, journalist. Born 1834 in Tixtla, Mexico; died 1893 in Sam Remo, Italy. Considered a major contributor to the development of a national literature in Mexico. Major novels include: Clemencia (1869), La navidad en las montañas (1870), and El zarco (1901). Altamirano also received a law degree; served as representative to the national congress; held the post of professor of the history of philosophy and eloquence in the law school in Mexico City; was elected to the Supreme Court; and founded several newspapers, journals, and societies. He became Mexico's consul general to Spain in 1889 and to France in 1890.

From the description of El zarco : episodios de la vida mexicana en 1861-1863, 1888. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 31139458

Novelist, poet, journalist. Born 1834 in Tixtla, Mexico; died 1893 in San Remo, Italy. Considered a major contributor to the development of a national literature in Mexico. Major novels include: Clemencia (1869), La navidad en las montañas (1870), and El zarco (1901).

Altamirano also received a law degree; served as representative to the national congress; held the post of professor of the history of philosophy and eloquence in the law school in Mexico City; was elected to the Supreme Court; and founded several newspapers, journals, and societies. He became Mexico's consul general to Spain in 1889 and to France in 1890.

Other positions held include: Professor at Escuela Nacional Preparatoria, Escuela de la Comercio, Escuela de Jurisprudencia, and Escuela Nacional para Maestros, Magistrate of the Suprema Corte de Justicia, Procurador General de la Nación.

• 13 Nov 1834: born in Tixtla (present-day Guerrero) to Francisco Altamirano and Gertrudis Basilio
• 13 Dec 1834: baptized (from Library of Congress authority record)
• 1849: entered Instituto Literario de Toluca studied law at Colegio de San Juan Letrán
• 1854?: withdrew from Colegio de San Juan Letrán upon the outbreak of the revolution of Ayutla fought for liberal cause in War of the Reform returned to study of law
• 1861: deputy to national congress fought for liberal cause against French Intervention; attained rank of colonel; distinguished service at battle of Querétaro
• 1867: ended military service and devoted life to teaching, literature, and public service
• 1867: founded periodical, El Correo de Mexico, with Ignacio Ramírez and Guillermo Prieto
• 1867: first novel, Julia, published
• 1869: Clemencia published
• 1869: founded literary review, El Renacimiento, with Gonzalo A. Esteva
• 1870: director of Liceo Hidalgo
• 1870: La Navidad en las Montañas published
• 1871: participated with Manuel Payno in founding of El Federalista
• 1875: participated in founding of La Tribuna
• 1880: participated in founding of La Republica
• 1889: named Cónsul General de México en España
• 13 Feb 1893: died in San Remo, Italy
• 1901: first publication of El Zarco

From the guide to the El Zarco: episodios de la vida mexicana en 1861-1863 31139458., 1888, (Benson Latin American Collection, General Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin)