A pioneering Mexican journalist and author who wrote the first novel in Latin America, "El Periquillo Sarniento", a satirical critique of Mexican society. He's considered the father of Mexican journalism.
Jos Joaqun Fernndez de Lizardi, a Mexican writer and political journalist, is renowned for penning El Periquillo Sarniento, the first novel written in Latin America, published in 1816. This groundbreaking work of literature not only cemented Lizardi's position as a prominent figure in Mexican literature but also paved the way for future generations of writers.
Born on November 15, 1776, in Mexico City, which was then the capital of the colonial Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain, Lizardi was raised in a family of modest means. His father, Manuel Fernndez Lizalde, was a physician who supplemented the family income by writing, an occupation that would later influence Lizardi's own career path. His mother, Brbara Gutirrez, came from a family of booksellers in nearby Puebla.
The untimely death of Lizardi's father in 1798 forced him to abandon his studies at the Colegio de San Ildefonso and enter the civil service as a minor magistrate in the Taxco-Acapulco region. This shift in circumstances not only shaped Lizardi's future but also ignited his passion for writing, which became a means of providing for his growing family.
Lizardi's literary career began in 1809 with the publication of a poem in honor of Ferdinand VII of Spain. Although Ferdinand VII would later become a target of nationalist rage among pro-independence Mexicans, Lizardi's early work was a testament to his patriotism and commitment to the Spanish crown.
However, with the outbreak of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810, Lizardi's views began to shift towards protonationalism. As the Teniente de Justicia and acting Subdelegado in Taxco, he found himself at the forefront of the conflict, a experience that would deeply influence his writing.
Published in 1816, El Periquillo Sarniento, translated as The Mangy Parrot, is a satirical novel that critiques the social ills of Mexico during the colonial era. Through the protagonist, Periquillo, a street urchin with a penchant for storytelling, Lizardi masterfully weaves together vignettes that expose the corruption, superstition, and ignorance that plagued Mexican society.
Lizardi's pioneering work not only paved the way for future generations of Mexican writers but also contributed to the development of a distinctly Mexican literary identity. His influence can be seen in the works of later writers, such as Fernando del Paso and Juan Rulfo, who drew inspiration from Lizardi's unique blend of social commentary and literary innovation.
In recognition of his significant contributions to Mexican literature, Lizardi is celebrated as a national hero, and his work continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
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