Tino Villanueva
Encyclopedia
Tino Villanueva is an American poet
and writer.
, and spent two years in the Panama Canal Zone
. There he became immersed in Hispanic literature, reading Rubén Darío
and José Martí
. He graduated from Texas State University–San Marcos
, on the G.I. Bill, from the State University of New York
with an M.A. in 1971, and from Boston University
with a doctorate in Spanish in 1981. He taught at Wellesley College. Villanueva currently serves as Senior Lecturer in Spanish, Department of Romance Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University
.
In the early 1970s, Villanueva began publishing his poems a part of The Chicano Literary Renaissance. He writes in both English and Spanish, often switching between the two languages.
He founded Imagine Publishers, Inc., and edited Imagine: International Chicano Poetry Journal.
His papers are held at Texas State University-San Marcos.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and writer.
Life
In 1963, he was drafted into the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, and spent two years in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
. There he became immersed in Hispanic literature, reading Rubén Darío
Rubén Darío
Félix Rubén García Sarmiento , known as Rubén Darío, was a Nicaraguan poet who initiated the Spanish-American literary movement known as modernismo that flourished at the end of the 19th century...
and José Martí
José Martí
José Julián Martí Pérez was a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. In his short life he was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a revolutionary philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher, and a political theorist. He was also a part of the Cuban...
. He graduated from Texas State University–San Marcos
Texas State University–San Marcos
Texas State University–San Marcos is a doctoral-granting university located in San Marcos, Texas...
, on the G.I. Bill, from the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
with an M.A. in 1971, and from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
with a doctorate in Spanish in 1981. He taught at Wellesley College. Villanueva currently serves as Senior Lecturer in Spanish, Department of Romance Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
.
In the early 1970s, Villanueva began publishing his poems a part of The Chicano Literary Renaissance. He writes in both English and Spanish, often switching between the two languages.
He founded Imagine Publishers, Inc., and edited Imagine: International Chicano Poetry Journal.
His papers are held at Texas State University-San Marcos.
Awards
- 1994 American Book AwardAmerican Book AwardThe American Book Award was established in 1978 by the Before Columbus Foundation. It seeks to recognize outstanding literary achievement by contemporary American authors, without restriction to race, sex, ethnic background, or genre...
, for Scenes from the Movie GIANT (1993). - 1995 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Texas State University-San Marcos.