Virgilio Dávila

Infobox writer
name = Virgilio Dávila


imagesize = 120px
caption = Virgilio Dávila, Mayor of Bayamon 1905-1910
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birthdate = January 28, 1869
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deathdate = August 22, 1943
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occupation = poet, educator, politician, businessman
nationality = Puerto Rican
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notableworks = "Patria"; "Viviendo y Amando"; "Aromas del Terruño"; "No des tu Tierra al Extaño"
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children = José Antonio Dávila
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influences = Victor Hugo
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Virgilio Dávila (January 28, 1869 – August 22, 1943), was a Puerto Rican poet, an educator, politician and businessman. He is considered by many to be one of Puerto Rico's greatest representatives of the modern literary era.

Life and career

Dávila was influenced by the literary collection of his parents, both of whom were teachers, at an early age. He attended private schools were he received both his primary and secondary education. Dávila earned his Bachelors degree from the Civil Institute of Higher Learning in 1895. He taught school in the town of Gurabo.

Dávila and his wife had a son on October 7, 1898, José Antonio Dávila, in the City of Bayamón, who would one day take after his father and become a well known poet himself.

His experiences as a teacher and in agriculture created an immense love for his country which was later reflected in his poetry. In 1903, Dávila published his first book of poems. In this book he included poems which he wrote about Jose de Diego, Federico Degetau and Lola Rodríguez de Tió. He also included poems about the island and love in general. In 1904, Dávila became director of the weekly publication "Chantelier", which he co-founded with Braulio Dueño Colon.

In 1905, Dávila ran for Mayor of the Municipality of Bayamon. He won the election and served as the municipality's mayor from 1905 to 1910.

With Dueño Colon and Manuel Fernandez Juncos, he prepared a book of school songs. Dávila wrote many poems that were published in many publications and newspapers of the day. He also wrote a book for his grandchildren, titled "A Book for my Grandchildren" in 1928.

Among his better known poems are:

* "Patria" (1903)
* "Viviendo y Amando" (1912)
* "Aromas del Terruño" (1916)
* "No des tu Tierra al Extaño". He was greatly influenced by Victor Hugo and his style is considered traditional.

Virgilio Dávila died in the Bayamón on August 22, 1943. He is buried in that city's Porta Coeli Cemetery.

A public housing complex, a school, and an avenue in Bayamón bear the name of Dávila in his honor.

ee also

*List of Puerto Rican writers
*List of famous Puerto Ricans
*Puerto Rican literature

External links

* [http://www.zonai.com/promociones/biografias/0101/josecampeche.asp El Nuevo Dia]