Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto (Pablo Neruda)
- Born:
- July 12, 1904, Parral, Chile
- Died:
- September 23, 1973, Santiago, Chile
- Nationality:
- Chilean
- Profession(s):
- Poet, Diplomat, Politician
Early Life and Education
- Born Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto, he adopted the pseudonym Pablo Neruda.
- His mother died shortly after his birth.
- Showed an early interest in writing, facing disapproval from his father.
- Attended the Temuco Boys' School, where he continued to develop his poetic talent.
- Published his first poems in local newspapers under various pseudonyms.
Career and Major Achievements
- Published his first book of poems, Crepusculario (Twilight), in 1923.
- Achieved international recognition with Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada (Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair) in 1924.
- Served as a diplomat in Burma, Ceylon, Java, Singapore, Argentina, and Spain.
- Involved in the Spanish Civil War, which significantly impacted his political views.
- Became a senator for the Communist Party in Chile.
- Went into exile in 1949 after criticizing the Chilean government.
- Returned to Chile in 1952 and continued writing.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971 "for a poetry that with the action of an elemental force brings alive a continent's destiny and dreams."
- Some controversy surrounds the circumstances of his death.
Notable Works
- Crepusculario (1923)
- Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada (1924)
- Residencia en la tierra (1933, 1935)
- España en el corazón (1937)
- Canto General (1950)
- Los versos del capitán (1952)
- Estravagario (1958)
- Cien sonetos de amor (1959)
- Memorial de Isla Negra (1964)
Legacy and Impact
Pablo Neruda is considered one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, known for his passionate love poems, political verse, and surrealist works. His writings continue to resonate with readers worldwide, solidifying his place as a literary giant. Studying a pablo neruda biography timeline book offers valuable insight into the context and development of his prolific output.