Juan E. O'Leary
Juan E. O'Leary Urdapilleta, born on June 12, 1879, in Asunción, Paraguay, was a significant Paraguayan writer, historian, and educator. He received his education in Asunción, where he earned a bachelor's degree and later majored in history at the University of Asunción. O'Leary began his literary career early, publishing his first poem in 1898, which showcased themes of patriotism and racial identity that would characterize much of his work. Throughout his life, he held various roles, including a geography professor and later a director at the Colegio Nacional, while also contributing to Paraguayan journalism.
His poetry often reflected on Paraguay's indigenous heritage and the impact of historical events, most notably the War of the Triple Alliance. A personal tragedy struck when he lost his only daughter in 1914, prompting him to publish a collection of poems in her memory. Despite facing health challenges later in life, including aphasia, O'Leary continued to serve as a diplomat and director of the National Historical Museum until the 1940s. He passed away on October 31, 1969, in Asunción. O'Leary's literary and historical contributions remain vital to Paraguay's cultural identity, and his legacy continues to be recognized, especially with increasing interest in his poetry following the posthumous publication of his anthology in 1983.
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Juan E. O'Leary
Writer
- Born: June 12, 1879
- Birthplace: Asunción, Paraguay
- Died: October 31, 1969
- Place of death: Asunción, Paraguay
Biography
Juan E. O’Leary Urdapilleta was born on June 12, 1879, to Don Juan O’Leary Costa and Doña Dolores Urdapilleta Carísimo in Asunción, Paraguay. He attended primary and secondary school in Asunción, and later attended the Colegio Nacional in the same city, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1898. He next attended the University of Asunción where he majored in history.
A prolific writer, O’Leary began his career early, publishing his first poem in a local newspaper in 1898. Even at this early point, the historical, patriotic, and racial themes that would dominate his later work were present. His first poem, “Primero de marzo de 1870” (March first, 1870) offered a heroic narration of an important battle in Paraguayan history. About the same time, O’Leary became a professor of geography at the Colegio Nacional. He also worked as a journalist during this time for several newspapers. In 1902, he published the poem “Salvage!” (savage!). In this poem, he memorialized the Guaraní race. Many of his later poems treated the loss of the indigenous population of Paraguay.
O’Leary married in 1902, and the couple had a daughter in 1903. O’Leary’s teaching shifted to literature and history, and he began training teachers at the Escuela Normal as well as continuing his work at the Colegio Nacional. He was the director of the Colegio from 1910 to 1914. He never stopped working as journalist, however, writing for two important Paraguayan newspapers, and cofounding a third. During this period, O’Leary also began publishing historical texts. These books reinterpreted Paraguayan history, offering explanations and alternative reasons for the disastrous defeat of the Paraguayan army in the War of the Triple Alliance.
O’Leary’s only child died in 1914, causing the writer great grief. He published a volume of poems in her memory in 1918. He also produced several more historical texts during this period. Tragically, O’Leary developed aphasia, a brain disorder that limits or impedes the use of language. The infliction forced him to retire from teaching. Nonetheless, he became a diplomat in 1924, and the director of the National Historical Museum in 1933. He continued to travel as a diplomat through the 1940’s, and he also served in Congress. At ninety years of age, O’Leary died on October 31, 1969, in his beloved Asunción.
Because much of O’Leary’s poetry was published in newspapers, much of it has been lost. Not until 1983 was an anthology of his poetry published, leading to speculation that critical interest in the poetry of this important Paraguayan would increase. Nonetheless, it is impossible to overstate the importance of O’Leary’s written contributions to Paraguayan culture. He was involved in virtually every periodical and publication of any importance in his homeland throughout his life. His historical writings contributed deeply to the restoration of the national psyche. In sum, O’Leary stands as the most important Paraguayan writer of the first half of the twentieth century.