Pedro Prado
Pedro Prado, born on October 8, 1886, in Santiago, Chile, was a notable figure in the Chilean literary scene. He was educated in humanities and architecture, which informed his creative works. Prado began his literary career with a short story in 1905 and went on to publish a collection of free verse poetry in 1908. He founded the periodical *Revista contemporánea* in 1910 and was instrumental in establishing the artistic group Los Diez, which contributed to the Generation of 1920. His work *Alsino*, published in 1920, is his most acclaimed piece, blending elements of novel and prose poetry. Over his lifetime, Prado received several accolades, including the 1935 Premio Roma and the 1949 Chilean National Literary Prize. He is recognized for his experimental style, particularly in poetry, and his influence on later notable writers like Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda. Prado passed away on January 31, 1952, leaving a lasting legacy in Chilean literature.
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Subject Terms
Pedro Prado
- Born: October 8, 1886
- Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
- Died: January 31, 1952
- Place of death: Viña del Mar, Chile
Biography
Pedro Prado was born Pedro Prado Calvo on October 8, 1886, in Santiago, Chile. His father, Absalon Prado, was a doctor and his mother, Laura Calvo Prado, was an aristocrat who died when he was only two years old. His father died in 1905. Prado studied the humanities at the Instituto Nacional and architecture at the Universidad de Chile. In 1910, he married Adrian Jarmillo Bruce; they had three children: Pedro, Ines, and Teresa.
Prado’s first publication was a short story, “Cuadro de estio—El invàlid,” published in the newspaper El independiente in 1905 under the pseudonym Álvavo J. Credo. Flores de cardo, a collection of free verse poetry, was published in 1908. In 1910, he founded the short-lived periodical Revista contemporánea. La caba abandonada: Parábolas y pequeños ensanos, published in 1912, is a collection of prose poems. Prado’s first novel, La reina de Rapa Nui, was published in 1914.
In 1915, Prado founded Los Diez, a group of artists who published the review Los Diez as well as several novels and collections of short stories and poetry. The group later gave rise to the Generation of 1920. Alsino, published in 1920, is Prado’s most internationally recognized work and is described as both a novel and a prose poem. In 1921, Prado was named director of the Museo de Bellas Artes in Santiago. Prado’s final collection of poetry, Viejos poemas inéditos, was published in 1949. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage on January 31, 1952.
Prado was awarded the 1935 Premio Roma poetry prize from the Italian Embassy and the 1949 Chilean National Literary Prize. He is recognized for his experimental free verse poetry and prose poetry. He influenced writers Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, paving the way toward later innovation in Chilean literature.