Hugo Wast
Encyclopedia
Gustavo Adolfo Martínez Zuviría (October 23, 1883March 28, 1962), best known under his pseudonym Hugo Wast, was a renowned Argentine novelist and script writer.
Born Gustavo Martínez Zuviría in Córdoba, Argentina
, his family relocated to Santa Fe
, and he enrolled at the University of Santa Fe
, receiving a law degree in 1907. Zuviría first used the pen name "Hugo Wast" for his 1911 novel, Flor de durazno (Peach Blossom) - his first commercial success. He was elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies
in 1916 as a Conservative and received the National Literary Prize for his realist novel, Desierto de piedra (Stone Desert, 1925), but he was also known for his anti-semitism
- established with his inflammatory Oro (Gold, 1935) - and his ideological association with French "integrism
e," a Catholic nationalist doctrine associated with the National Front
.
He was appointed director of the National Library of Argentina in 1931, and in 1943, as Minister of Public Instruction for the newly-installed military government of General Pedro Ramírez
, he reinstated religious education in public schools, thus breaking from a sixty-year secular tradition in Argentine education
.
A souring of relations with the Catholic Church on the part of President Juan Perón
led to Wast's dismissal as National Library Director in 1954, and the writer died in Buenos Aires
in 1962.
Born Gustavo Martínez Zuviría in Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
, his family relocated to Santa Fe
Santa Fe, Argentina
Santa Fe is the capital city of province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It sits in northeastern Argentina, near the junction of the Paraná and Salado rivers. It lies opposite the city of Paraná, to which it is linked by the Hernandarias Subfluvial Tunnel. The city is also connected by canal with the...
, and he enrolled at the University of Santa Fe
National University of the Littoral
The National University of the Littoral is a university in Argentina. It is based in Santa Fe, the capital of the province of the same name, and it has colleges and other academic facilities in Esperanza, Reconquista and Gálvez, also in Santa Fe Province.-History:The original institution was...
, receiving a law degree in 1907. Zuviría first used the pen name "Hugo Wast" for his 1911 novel, Flor de durazno (Peach Blossom) - his first commercial success. He was elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies
Argentine Chamber of Deputies
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the Argentine National Congress. This Chamber holds exclusive rights to create taxes, to draft troops, and to accuse the President, the ministers and the members of the Supreme Court before the Senate....
in 1916 as a Conservative and received the National Literary Prize for his realist novel, Desierto de piedra (Stone Desert, 1925), but he was also known for his anti-semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
- established with his inflammatory Oro (Gold, 1935) - and his ideological association with French "integrism
Integrism
Integrism is a term coined in early 20th century polemics within the Catholic Church, especially in France, as an epithet to describe those who opposed the "modernists", who sought to create a synthesis between Christian theology and the liberal philosophy of secular modernity. The term was...
e," a Catholic nationalist doctrine associated with the National Front
Front National (France)
The National Front is a political party in France. The party was founded in 1972, seeking to unify a variety of French far-right currents of the time. Jean-Marie Le Pen was the party's first leader and the undisputed centre of the party from its start until his resignation in 2011...
.
He was appointed director of the National Library of Argentina in 1931, and in 1943, as Minister of Public Instruction for the newly-installed military government of General Pedro Ramírez
Pedro Pablo Ramírez
General Pedro Pablo Ramírez was de facto President of Argentina from June 7, 1943 to February 24, 1944. He was the founder and leader of the Guardia Nacional, Argentina's Fascist militia....
, he reinstated religious education in public schools, thus breaking from a sixty-year secular tradition in Argentine education
Education in Argentina
Education in Argentina is a responsibility shared by the national government, the provinces and federal district and private institutions, though basic guidelines have historically been set by the Ministry of Education...
.
A souring of relations with the Catholic Church on the part of President Juan Perón
Juan Perón
Juan Domingo Perón was an Argentine military officer, and politician. Perón was three times elected as President of Argentina though he only managed to serve one full term, after serving in several government positions, including the Secretary of Labor and the Vice Presidency...
led to Wast's dismissal as National Library Director in 1954, and the writer died in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
in 1962.
Works
- Flor de durazno (1911)
- La casa de los cuervos (1916)
- Valle negro (1918)
- Desierto de Piedra (1925)
- El camino de las llamas (1930)
- El kahal (1935)
- Oro (1935)
- Juana Tabor (1942)
- 666 (1942)