JOSÉ MARÍA VERGARA Y VERGARA: BIOGRAPHY, STYLE, WORKS - BIOGRAPHIES - 2025

José María Vergara y Vergara (1831-1872) was a Colombian writer, historian and journalist who also stood out as a literary critic. This intellectual assumed the responsibility of creating and directing the Colombian Academy of Language and, for this, he followed the steps and the norms of the existing institution in Spain.

Vergara's literary work was characterized by being manners and traditional. The author used a clear and simple language, with words in accordance with the Castilian of the time. In his writings humor and originality were notorious, as well as the development of themes related to politics, history and the lifestyle of the 19th century.

Portrait of José María Vergara y Vergara. Source: Antonio Rodríguez, via Wikimedia Commons

Vergara covered several genres, among which the essay, the novel, the chronicle and the historical narrative stood out. Some of her most outstanding works were The Three Cups and Other Stories, History of Literature in New Granada and Olives and Olives, all are one. The journalist was the founder and editor of important Colombian newspapers.

Biography

Birth and family

José María was born on March 19, 1831 in Bogotá, in the old New Granada. The writer came from a well-educated and well-off family. His parents were Ignacio Manuel de Vergara and Ignacia Vergara Nates.

The literary critic had nine siblings, whose names were: Ladislao, María Josefa, Eladio, Dolores, Isidro, María Francisca, José Antonio, Rafael and Concepción.

Childhood and studies

Vergara lived a good part of his childhood in a farm called Casablanca, which was located in Cundinamarca. In that place she dedicated herself to playing and reading during her stay, reaching a high level of culture for her age.

His years of primary education took place in the city where he was born and, from his childhood, he showed interest in literature and writing. So when he finished high school, he decided not to go to university, but instead devoted himself to literature.

First literary steps

The talent and passion that Vergara had for writing and literature led him in his younger years to pursue a career in journalism. This is how in 1852 he founded the newspaper La Siesta, in the company of the intellectual Rafael Pombo when he was barely twenty-one years old. The newspaper circulated in the city of Bogotá.

Personal life

For work reasons, José María Vergara y Vergara traveled to the city of Popayán in 1850 and was surprised by love. There he met a young woman named Saturia Balcázar, with whom he began a courtship. The lovers were married in 1954 and as a result of love five children were born: Mercedes, Francisco José, Ignacia, Concepción and Tadeo.

Professional performance in Popayán

The time that the writer spent in Popayán was also professionally productive. He worked in various local print media, both as an editor and as a journalist, and served as a literature teacher. In 1854 he created the newspaper La Matricaria, which was aimed at a young audience.

First publications

Vergara quickly established himself as a journalist and became the main transmitter of the manners of his time. Between 1858 and 1861 he founded and edited the following Bogota newspapers: El Mosaico, El Heraldo and El Cundinamarqués. In 1863 the writer released The Three Cups and Other Stories, a work of a traditional character.

The Colombian Academy of Language

This Colombian intellectual was concerned about leaving solid literary knowledge and institutions to the citizens of his country. So after a trip to Spain he managed to get the authorities of the Royal Academy to authorize him to create establishments in the New World.

He returned to his country and wasted no time creating the Colombian Academy of the Language, of which he was also director. In this way Vergara opened the doors to new cultural and grammatical paths in Colombia.

Last years and death

Vergara's entire existence was dedicated to journalistic work and writing. Her latest publications include: History of the literature of New Granada and Olives and olives, all are one.

Life died out early and he was unable to complete several works. He died on March 9, 1872 in Bogotá when he was barely forty years old.

Style

The literary style of José María Vergara y Vergara was framed within costumbrismo. The language used by the writer was clear and precise, loaded with humor, creativity and originality.

Oil by the writer José María Vergara y Vergara made by Ramón Torres Méndez. Source: LinaCW, via Wikimedia Commons

In his works he dealt with topics of popular interest, the lifestyle of the time and wrote about history and politics, especially corruption and injustice.

Plays

- A gossip. Incomplete novel.

- A hate to death. Unfinished novel.

Newspapers (created or edited by him)

- The Siesta (1852).

- La Matricaria: Youth Newspaper. Collection of articles on customs, magazines and literature (1854, Popayán).

- El Mosaico: Miscellany of Literature, Sciences and Music (1858, Bogotá).

- El Heraldo: Organ of the Conservative Party (1860, Bogotá).

- El Cundinamarqués: Official Newspaper and Organ of the Interests of the State (1861, Bogotá).

Brief description of some of his works

Olives and olives, they are all one

It was one of Vergara's best-known literary works. The novel was based on the political events of his time, especially on the corruption of governments. The author set the narrative work in the town of La Paz, capital of a non-existent city which he gave the name of Chirichiquí.

This novel enjoyed dynamism and a sense of humor, a simple language and traditional aspects of Colombia.

The title of the work was related to a popular saying referring to the absence of differences in things or situations that were the same. Vergara applied it to politics to express that all officials were and acted in the same way.

Fragment. Chapter VII: "Political types"

“Problem: Does politics produce anything in New Granada? Is it a profession in which you can earn money? Folly! If there is someone who makes money with politics, let them stick it in my forehead; and if there is someone who deals only with politics and doesn't earn money, let them nail it to my forehead too…

“Otherwise: given an unproductive man engaged in an unproductive occupation, make him earn a lot of money. This is seen every day and is seen even in dark nights… ”.

References

1. Tamaro, E. (2019). José María Vergara and Vergara. (N / a): Biographies and Lives. Recovered from: biografiasyvidas.com.
2. José María Vergara and Vergara. (2019). Spain: Wikipedia. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org.
3. José María Vergara and Vergara. (S. f.). Cuba: Ecu Red. Recovered from: ecured.cu.
4. (S. f.). Vergara y Vergara, José María (1831-1872). (N / a): MCN Biographies. Recovered from: mcnbiografias.com.
5. Gómez, J. (S. f.). José María Vergara and Vergara. (N / a): Essayists. Recovered from: essayists.org.