Venezuelan Personalities: Contributions to Science, Art, and Literature
Venezuelan Personalities
Rafael Rangel (Medical Research)
Rafael Rangel was born on April 25, 1877, in Betijoque, Trujillo State. One of his professors was Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, whom he considered a master. Rangel’s economic situation as a student was very difficult; he slept in a hallway at the University of San Francisco on a door supported by two barrels of cement. His life was dedicated entirely to research. He dedicated himself to the study of anatomy, histology, bacteriology, medical physics, and chemistry.
He was the founder of parasitology studies in Venezuela. His research on Derrengadera, a hookworm disease in horses common in the Venezuelan plains, opened new avenues in the investigation of tropical parasites.
Luis Razetti (Medical Investigator)
Luis Razetti was born in Caracas in 1862. While accomplished in various fields such as philosophy and literature, Luis Razetti is best remembered for his contribution to medical research.
He studied anatomy, surgery, and obstetrics. In 1892, he founded the Society of Physicians and Surgeons and the Medical Gazette of Caracas.
He is also recognized for his efforts in improving public health services. A paper he presented at the Academy of Medicine on the decrease of population in Caracas led to his expulsion by General Gomez of Venezuela.
José María Vargas (Medical Master)
José María Vargas, a distinguished physician and teacher, was born in La Guaira in 1786. Vargas demonstrated commendable philanthropic action following the earthquake of 1812, where he distinguished himself by his admirable attention to the wounded. Political reasons forced him to leave the country for Europe.
Bolivar appointed him rector of the UCV to implement major reforms and improve teaching materials.
He also ventured into politics after being proposed and elected President of Venezuela, but several clashes between civilians and the military forced him to resign.
Cristóbal Rojas (Painter)
Cristóbal Rojas was born in Cua, Miranda State, in 1857. He took his first steps as an assistant in the decoration of the cathedral of Caracas.
As the sole prize winner for the painting “Death of Girardot” at the Centennial of the Death of Freedom, he won a scholarship that allowed him to study in Paris.
Several of his works won awards in France. With great difficulty, because he already had tuberculosis, he completed the picture of “Purgatory”, which won the gold medal.
José Antonio Calcaño (Music)
José Antonio Calcaño was born in Caracas in 1900. He was also a poet, historian, lecturer, and music critic. He is remembered particularly for being the founder of the Lamas Choral Society, the Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, and the Coral Polyphonic of Venezuela. His cultural programs on radio and TV were widely seen and heard. Finally, he created several compositions and arrangements of many popular songs. He died in Caracas in 1978.
Andrés Bello (Literature)
Andrés Bello was born in Caracas in 1781 and died in Chile in 1865.
He cultivated different literary genres.
His literary life and work developed in three different settings:
- In Caracas, where he spent his first 29 years. Here he was the teacher of Simón Bolívar.
- His literary works at this time were few, but include the poem “A victory dance” and “Address to the poetry”.
- The Chilean stage lasted 36 years. At a literary level, he wrote his most important works: “The grammar of the Castilian Language for use with the Americans.”
Rómulo Gallegos (Literature)
Rómulo Gallegos was born in Caracas in 1884.
He was a representative of the American regional novel.
His works were many: The Last Solar, The Climber, Doña Bárbara (his best work), Canta Claro, Canaima, Poor Black, The Stranger, The Straw in the Wind, The Embers in the Beak of the Crow… He won the National Literature Prize.
The Rómulo Gallegos literary personality is first-rate in Latin American narrative.
He dedicated himself to politics and was elected president of Venezuela.
He died in Caracas in 1969.
Miguel Otero Silva (Literature)
Miguel Otero Silva was born in Barcelona in 1908. He was a poet, novelist, essayist, and politician.
He founded the humanistic weekly newspaper The Morrocoy and El Nacional.
His outstanding work is fictional and always has a socio-political intention, according to his revolutionary thinking. Among his most important stories are: Dead Houses, Fever, When I Mourn I Do Not Cry, The Death of Honorius, Office No. 1, Lope de Aguirre, Coral Eligia Andres Eloy Blanco, La Mar Which Is Death…
He died in Caracas in 1985.