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He was a well known poet, writer and painter born Jose
Julian Marti Perez in Havana, Cuba
to Spanish parents and was the oldest brother to seven sisters. His family moved to Valencia,
Spain, when
he was 4 years old but two years later they returned and enrolled him at a
local school. In 1867 he
enrolled to take drawing classes at the Professional School of Painting and
Sculpting. His first
publication of political writings was in 1868 and the same year he
published the patriotic drama in verse "Abdala" as well as his
renowned sonnet "10 de Octubre". His school was shut down that year
by colonial authorities and he became resentful of the Spanish rule as well
as showing a hatred for the slavery which was still practiced in Cuba. He was jailed for six years in 1869
at age 16 after being accused of treason but after he fell ill due to the
damage from the lacerations caused by his chains he was transferred to
another part of Cuba. He was repatriated to Spain
and while there he studied law and wrote articles against the ruling of Cuba
by Spain. After receiving his BA and
completing his studies he obtained a license in civil rights and went to France
before returning to Cuba
under an assumed name in 1877.
Unable to find employment there he became a Professor of History and
Literature in Guatemala
City
and then moved on to New York
City
as a joint consul for Uruguay,
Paraguay
and Argentina. After he founded the Cuban
Revolutionary Party he planned to leave the US
for Cuba
but was caught in Florida. He eventually landed in Cuba
in April 1895 with a small band of exiles and he was made a Major
General. He was killed in
battle with Spanish troops at the Battle of Dos Rios on 19th May
1895. As an author and poet his best known
works were written for children.
The airport at Havana
and the town of Marti were
named after him and he is considered a national hero, often being referred
to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence".
Joan Baez Recordings
Guantanamera (Jose Marti/Pete Seeger/Hector
Angulo)
Source:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Marti
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