Rogelio Barriga Rivas

Rogelio Barriga Rivas (March 15, 1912 – January 9, 1961, Mexico City), was a Mexican author born in Tlacolula, Oaxaca.

Despite his short career, Barriga is considered one of the best writers of his time. He took a degree in law, and his experiences working as magistrate and judge were reflected in two of his books: "Rio Humano", winner of the Lanz Duret prize in 1948, and "Juez Letrado" (1952).

Proud of his origin, in love with his native Oaxaca and the customs of the region, his first novel was "La Guelaguetza" (1947). As well as winning the Lanz Duret prize in 1951, "La Mayordomia" inspired the film "Animas Trujano" starring Toshiro Mifune, Flor Silvestre and Antonio Aguilar. The most famous of his other plots was made into the film "Carcel de Mujeres" directed by the Delgado brothers and featuring Sarita Montiel, Miroslava and Katy Jurado. Another idea inspired by his novels is reflected in "Si yo fuera Diputado" with Cantinflas.

Leaving numberless poems and stories, having only begun his development as an author, with the possibility that a great career might have lain ahead of him, Barriga died of a heart attack in 1961, survived by his wife Ofelia and five children.