Writers, Poets and Intellectuals
(Arranged by date of birth)

Gregorio Gutierrez (1826-1872) – Poet and writer.
This renowned 19th century author and lawyer was able to represent the Antioqueño way of life and traditions through his writing.
His best-known work is titled: Memories of Corn Growing in Antioquia. Gutiérrez González was born in La Ceja del Tambo.

Baldomero Sanin (1861-1957) – Writer, philologist, journalist and literary critic.
Sanín Cano was not only a famous writer, but held many important diplomatic and governmental positions throughout his career. He was a university professor, philologist, translator and literary critic.
Some of his wonderful works include: Manual Civilization and Other Essays , Philosophical Digressions, Colombian Writers and About my Life and other L lives. He was born in Rionegro.

Fidel Cano (1854-1919) – Writer, journalisf.
President of the Antioquia Academy of History and Principal of the University of Antioquia Fidel Cano, was also the founder of El Espectador newspaper of Colombia as well as the founder of many other newspapers in Medellín. The famous journalist was born in San Pedro de los Milagros.

Tomás Carrasquilla (1858-1940) – Writer.
Carrasquilla was one of the most prominent writers in Latin America. He published The Marchioness of Yolombó in 1928.
Seven years later, he was decorated with the Cross of Boyacá. Carrasquilla then published his noted trilogy Long Time Ago in 1936, for which he received the José María Vergara y Vergara National Prize of Literature and Science, granted by the Colombian Academy of Language. He was born in Santo Domingo (Ant.).

Porfirio Barba Jacob –Miguel Ángel Osorio Benítez– (1883-1942) – Poet, novelist, playwright and essayist.
Barba Jacob penned many works including: The Profound Life, The Struggle of The City, Black Roses, The Visionary Heart. He is one of the best- known writers in Colombia. He was born in Santa Rosa de Osos .

Felix Restrepo, S.J. (1887-1965) – Writer, professor, prist and humanist.
He was the Director of the Colombian Academy of the Spanish Language and the Caro y Cuervo Institute of Bogota. Restrepo also served as the Principal of Pontifical Javeriana University and Director of San Ignacio Hospital.
Some of his best-known works are: The Soul of Words: Design of General Semantics and Key of Greek .
He was awarded the Bolivariana decoration, the Order Basco Núñez de Balboa, and the Cross of Boyacá. Father Restrepo was born in Medellín in 1887.

Luis Lopez de Mesa (1888-1967) – Historian, essayist, novelist, poet, linguist, apologist, humanist, sociologist, philosopher, medical doctor, professor and politician.
The works of this eminent writer include scientific studies, psychological novels, sociological essays, historical research and cultural studies.
Among his numerous books are Contemporary Civilization: Introduction to the History of the Culture of Colombia, How the Colombian Nation Has Been Formed and Miguel Antonio Caro and Rufino José Cuervo. López de Mesa received many honours and awards throughout his life. He was born in Don Matías in 1888 .

Leon de Greiff (1895-1976) – Poet.
Greiff was one of the most unique poets in Colombia.
His extensive poetic works can be found in his books such as Distortions, Book of Signs, Variations Around Nothing, Fárrago, Nova et Vétera, Prose of Gaspar amongst many others . He was born in Medellin in 1895.

Manuel Mejia (1923-1998) – Novelist and short-story writer.
The first novel of this author, We Were the Land, brought Mejía to fame in the literary community.
He went on to win multiple literary competitions. He was the recipient of both the Nadal Prize in Spain and the Rómulo Gallegos prize. He also wrote many short-stories, including A Summer Afternoon and Tune of Tango. Mejía Vallejo was born in Jericó (Ant.).

Carlos Castro (1924-1989) – Poet and playwright.
This great writer was the author of poems, books of poetic prose and short- stories. His short-story, The Bookseller, won the Liceo Antioqueño prize. His poem Mensaje de America, won a prize in Berlin, Germany, as well as the 'Germán Saldarriaga del Valle Prize' in Colombia and a national tribute.
His works include The Children's Book , Pedro Nel Gomez and his fresco paintings, and Ash Adam (winner of the Jorge Isaacs' Prize). Castro Saavedra was born in Medellín.

Guillermo Cano (1925-1986) – Journalist .
Cano is considered to be one the most outstanding journalists of the 20th century.
He became the director of El Espectador newspaper. His life ended in tragedy when he was brutally murdered in Bogota in 1986.
UNESCO created the Guillermo Cano Prize to honour his name. He was born in Medellín in 1925 .

(Cont. Writers, Poets and Intellectuals)

Juan Manuel Roca – Poet, art critic and journalist.
Roca, one of Colombia's most popular poets, is the author of Memoria del Agua, Luna de Ciegos, Los Ladrones Nocturnos, Señal de Cuervos, Fabulario Real, País Secreto , Ciudadano de la Noche , Pavana con el Diablo and other books of poetry.
In 2004, he received the National Prize for Poetry from the Ministry of Culture for his work, Las hipótesis de nadie.
The famed poet has received many other awards such as the honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa in Literature conferred by the Universidad del Valle, the National Prize for Poetry from the University of Antioquia, the Simón Bolívar Prize for Journalism, the Latin American World Poetry Prize, the 'José Lezama Lima' Poetry Prize from the Casa de Las Américas and in 2009 he was awarded the 'Casa de América de Poesía Americana' Prize, in Madrid (España) for his work Bible of the poor The writer was born in Medellín in 1946.

Dario Jaramillo – Poet and writer.
According to prestigious literary critics, Jaramillo is the most important current Colombian poet and his bibliographical book, History of a Passion, one of the best Colombian books in recent years.
His other poetic works include Treatise on Rhetoric (garnering the National Prize of Poetry), Sing for Singing's sake. His literary talent did not stop at poetry as he also wrote the novels Alec's Death, Crossed Letters and The Interior Voice, his most recent book. Jaramillo was born in Santa Rosa de Osos in 1947.

Religious Figures


                                     


Mother Laura de Jesus Montoya
FIRST EVER COLOMBIAN SAINT

SAINT LAURA was born in Jerico (Antioquia) in 1874 and died in Medellin in 1949.
This extraordinary missionary was beatified by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000 and was elevated to sainthood by the Pope Francis on May 12, 2013.

Words of Pope Francis on the day of her canonization:

"Saint Laura Montoya, an instrument of evangelization, first as teacher and then as the spiritual mother of the indigenous peoples.”
“This first saint born on the beautiful Colombian soil, teaches us to be generous [together] with God, not to live the faith alone - as if we could live our faith in isolation - but to communicate, to radiate the joy of the Gospel by word and witness of life in every place we find ourselves.”


Other religious figures

Seminarian Jesus Anibal Gomez Beatified by Pope Francisco on October the 13, 2013.
He was born in Tarso in 1914. Murdered in Spain in 1936.

Father Mariano de Jesus Eusse(1845-1926)
In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified him. He was born in Yarumal.

Father Felix Restrepo, S.J. (1887-1965). See Writers.

Father Enrique Perez, S J. (1896-1972) – Biologist, chemist, philosopher, mathematician, professor and scientific writer.
Father Pérez Arbeláez was a distinguished scientist. He founded the Botanical Institute of the National University and the National Herbarium. He also acted as the director of the department of Investigations of the Geographical Institute Augustín Codazzi and was a member of other important scientific organizations.
He was awarded very high distinctions, among them, the Order of Boyacá granted by Colombian government and the Order Alphonse X The Wise from the Spanish government. Father Pérez was born in Medellín.

His Eminence Cardinal Dario Castrillon (1929-2018)
Appointed Cardinal-Deacon on February 21, 1998, he was also the Emeritus prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy and President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. He was born in Medellín.

His Eminence Cardinal Anibal Muñoz (1908-1987).
He was created Cardinal with the title of S. Bartolomeo all' Isola by the Pope Paul VI on March 5, 1973. His place of birth was Santa Rosa de Osos.

Reina Amparo Restrepo Missionary Sister.
This praiseworthy missionary from the religious Order of La Consolata, has dedicated her life to building peace in areas of violence, mainly in the department of Caquetá.
Her mission has been to move children away from bad influences and to teach them good habits, morality and integrity through readings and plays.
The sister was awarded, along with the teacher Beatriz Loaiza, the National Prize of Peace for her project "Circle of Childhood Readers". Reina Amparo was born in Angostura (Ant.) in 1950.