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1908–1985 · Ciales · Poetry • Journalism • Literature • Politics

Born March 3, 1908 in Ciales, Juan Antonio Corretjer was a poet, essayist, journalist, and political activist whose literary and political work became closely associated with Puerto Rican identity and the independence movement.

In 1920, when he was only 12 years old, Corretjer wrote his first poem "Canto a Ciales" (My song to Ciales). In 1924, he published his first booklet of poems. In 1927, he worked as a journalist for several newspapers and publications in Puerto Rico, Cuba and the U.S. He travelled to New York, Cuba, Haiti and Dominican Republic to endorse other political groups opposed to U.S. dominion and look for support for Puerto Rico's independance movement. In 1929, he returns to Puerto Rico and soon after, in 1930 he met Pedro Albizu Campos and joins him to work with the Nationalist Party. He was named the Administrative Secretary of the Nationalist Party. Since then, he became a faithfull figther for nationalism. Corretjer was jailed several times because of his political views and activities.

During his reclusion he authored several publications: "Amor de Puerto Rico" and "Cántico de Guerra" (Song of War), both published in 1937.

During his long carrier he published several books of poems: "Agüeybana" (1932), "Versos al Mar de un Hombre de Tierra Adentro" (1933), "El Leñero" (Timberman; 1944), "Imagen de Borinquen: Los Primeros Años" (1950), "Tierra Nativa" (Native Land; 1951), "Alabanza en la Torre de Ciales" (1953), "Yerba Bruja" (Bewitched Grass; 1957) and many more.

In 1978, the Institute of Culture published "Obras Completas", Volume I. He died on January 19, 1985 in San Juan.