José María Vergara y Vergara

José María Vergara y Vergara
Portrait of José María Vergara y Vergara located in the Colombian Academy of Language
Born(1831-03-19)19 March 1831
Bogotá, Gran Colombia
Died9 March 1872(1872-03-09) (aged 40)
Bogotá, United States of Colombia
OccupationWriter, journalist, diplomat, politician, literary critic, historian
LanguageSpanish
NationalityColombian
Notable worksHistoria de la literatura en Nueva Granada (1867)
Notable awardsLiterature award José Maria Vergara y Vergara named after him by Government of Colombia
SpouseSaturia Balcázar
ChildrenIgnacia, Francisco José, Mercedes, Concepción y Tadeo
RelativesEladio Vergara y Vergara
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José María Vergara y Vergara (March 19, 1831 – March 9, 1872) was a Colombian writer, journalist, politician, historian and diplomat. Vergara y Vergara is known for writing the first literary history of Colombia, a detailed chronological compilation of authors, works, and literary movements between 1538 and 1820. Vergara founded and directed the Colombian Academy of Language alongside Manuel Antonio Caro, and Jose Cuervo. Considered the most prestigious and significant colombian author of the 19th century

Upon Vergara y Vergara's death in 1887, the president of Colombia, created the "Jose Maria Vergara y Vergara" Literature Award.