Ruben Dario

NICARAGUA

(1867–1916) Ruben Dario was born in Metapa, Nicaragua. In 1880, he published his first set of poetry at the young age of 13. He continued writing and by the late 1800s he had created a Spanish-American literary movement called “modernism.” Modernism incorporated unique rhythms and symbols, and broke from the traditional poetry form. For many years he traveled the world as a journalist, visiting Argentina, Chile, France, and Spain on assignment. Between 1882 and 1915 he served as a Nicaraguan diplomat and as the Nicaraguan ambassador to France and Spain. He was also famous for his criticism of Spanish colonialism. In 1892, during the 400th anniversary celebration of the conquest led by Christopher Columbus, Dario read a poem to the Spanish court protesting the conquest and exposing the injustices it caused. He is the author of Stories and Poemsand Azul.

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