Jaime Torres Bodet

Jaime Torres Bodet was born in Mexico City in 1902. His father was a Spanish promoter of operas and theatre, and his mother was a Peruvian of French descent. He received a cultured and cosmopolitan education from his parents, who taught him piano, reading and French. He published his first book of poems at the age of 16, and soon became part of the literary group Los Contemporáneos, along with Carlos Pellicer, José Gorostiza and others. He studied law and literature at the National University of Mexico, where he was also a professor of French literature. He was a secretary of the rector José Vasconcelos, who influenced his educational and cultural vision. He held various positions in the public administration, such as director of the Department of Libraries, secretary of Health, secretary of Public Education (twice) and secretary of Foreign Affairs. He was also a diplomat, serving as ambassador to France, Belgium, Switzerland and the United Nations. He was the second Director-General of UNESCO from 1948 to 1952, where he promoted literacy, cultural diversity and international cooperation. He received several honors and awards, such as the Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor, the Legion of Honour and the Miguel de Cervantes Prize. He was also a member of the Mexican Academy of Language and the Mexican Academy of History. As a writer, he produced novels, essays, memoirs and poetry, with themes such as love, death, art, history and politics. Some of his notable works are Fervor (1921), Biombo (1925), Destierro (1930), El son del corazón (1941), Cuatro siglos de historia de México (1953) and Tiempo de arena (1963). He was known for his elegant and refined style, as well as his humanistic and universal vision. He suffered from cancer for 16 years, and decided to end his life in 1974, after finishing his memoirs. He was 72 years old.