Virgilio Dávila Cabrera (January 28, 1869 – August 22, 1943), was a Puerto Rican

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral or writte ...

from the modern literary era, educator,

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking, a ...

and businessman.

Early years

Dávila was born in the town of

Toa Baja Toa Baja (, ) is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the northern coast, north of Toa Alta and Bayamón; east of Dorado; and west of Cataño. Toa Baja is spread over five barrios, including Toa Baja Pueblo (the downtown area and ...

. he was influenced by the literary collection of his parents, both of whom were teachers, at an early age. He attended private schools where he received both his primary and secondary education. Dávila earned his bachelor's degree from the Civil Institute of Higher Learning in 1895. He taught school in the town of Gurabo. El Nuevo Día

Biografia

Dávila and his wife had a son on October 7, 1898,

José Antonio Dávila Dr. José Antonio Dávila (October 7, 1898 – December 4, 1941) was a postmodern Puerto Rican poet. Life and career Dávila (birth name: José Antonio Dávila Morales ) was born and raised in Bayamon, Puerto Rico into a literary family; ...

, in the City of Bayamón, who would one day take after his father and become a poet himself. His experiences as a teacher and in agriculture later reflected in his poetry. In 1903, Dávila published his first book of poems "Patria". In this book he included poems which he wrote about Jose de Diego,

Federico Degetau Federico Degetau y González (December 5, 1862 – February 20, 1914) was a Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican politician, lawyer, writer, author, and the first Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico to the United States House of Representatives. Early ye ...

and

Lola Rodríguez de Tió Lola Rodríguez de Tió,This name uses Spanish marriage naming customs; the first is the maiden family name ''"Rodríguez"'' and the second or matrimonial family name is ''"Tió"''. (September 14, 1843 – November 10, 1924), was the first Puerto ...

. He also included poems about the island and love in general. In 1904, Dávila became director of the weekly publication "Chantelier", which he co-founded with Braulio Dueño Colón. In 1905, Dávila ran for Mayor of the Municipality of Bayamon. He won the election and served as the municipality's mayor from 1905 to 1910. Together with Dueño Colon and Manuel Fernandez Juncos, he prepared a book of school songs. Dávila wrote many poems that were published in many publications and newspapers of the day. He also wrote a book for his grandchildren, titled ''A Book for my Grandchildren'' in 1928. Dávila style, considered traditional, was greatly influenced by

Victor Hugo Victor-Marie Hugo (; 26 February 1802 – 22 May 1885) was a French Romantic writer and politician. During a literary career that spanned more than sixty years, he wrote in a variety of genres and forms. He is considered to be one of the great ...

Written works

Among his better known poems are: * "Patria" (1903) * "Viviendo y Amando" (1912) * "Aromas del Terruño" (1916) * "Nostalgia" * "No des tu Tierra al Extraño". The following is a short version of "No des tu Tierra al Extraño" ("Do not give your land to a stranger!"):

Later years

Dávila died in the City of Bayamón on August 22, 1943. He is buried in that city's Porta Coeli Cemetery. A public housing complex, a school, and an avenue in Bayamón bear the name of Dávila in his honor.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davila, Virgilio 1869 births 1943 deaths Mayors of places in Puerto Rico People from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico Puerto Rican poets Puerto Rican male writers Mayors of Bayamón, Puerto Rico 20th-century Puerto Rican poets 20th-century American poets People from Spanish Puerto Rico

Early years

Biografia

Written works

Later years

See also

References