Top 15 Amazing Facts about César Vallejo

As a lifelong admirer of poetic voices, I am thrilled to guide you through 15 astonishing facts about César Vallejo. While many are familiar with Vallejo’s evocative Spanish poetry, lesser-known details reveal the man behind the monumental literary legacy.

From humble beginnings in Peru to international acclaim marked by personal tragedy, this collection unmasks obscure trivia and insights beyond the moving verses.

We will explore the compassion and controversy that colored Vallejo’s distinguished career, where he channeled the plight of the oppressed through his singular writing style and socially conscious themes. Join me as we illuminate Vallejo’s intriguing humanity and indelible influence.

1. He worked at a sugar plantation during his young years

Vallejo worked at a sugar plantation during his young years. The renowned Peruvian poet and writer, born in 1892, experienced a challenging upbringing marked by economic hardship.

Vallejo’s early life involved labor at a sugar plantation, reflecting the socio-economic conditions he faced. Despite the difficulties, Vallejo’s experiences influenced his perspective and later found expression in his literary works.

His poignant poetry and writings often addressed themes of social injustice, poverty, and the human condition, drawing inspiration from his own life and the struggles of the working class.

2. Vallejo received a BA in Spanish literature in 1915

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Lack of funds compelled César Vallejo to temporarily withdraw from his studies, leading him to work at the Roma Hacienda, a sugar plantation.

During this period, Vallejo directly observed the exploitation faced by agrarian workers, an experience profoundly influencing both his political beliefs and aesthetic sensibilities.

Contrary to the statement, Vallejo did not receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Spanish literature in 1915; rather, his intellectual and artistic development was shaped by personal exploration and engagement with literature.

He did, however, become acquainted with the bohemian culture of Trujillo in 1915, interacting with APRA co-founders Antenor Orrego and Victor Raul Haya de la Torre.

3. He produced his first poetry collection, Los heraldos negros in 1919

In 1911, César Vallejo relocated to Lima, where he enrolled at the National University of San Marcos.

During this time, he immersed himself in diverse activities, including studying, working as a schoolteacher, and engaging with the artistic and political avant-garde circles in Lima. In this dynamic environment, Vallejo created his initial poetry collection titled “Los heraldos negros.”

Although the publication year on the collection is indicated as 1918, it was, in fact, published a year later, marking an early milestone in Vallejo’s literary career.

4. Vallejo worked as a language and literature professor in Paris at the begining of 1938

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At the beginning of 1938, César Vallejo worked as a language and literature professor in Paris. However, in March of that year, he experienced physical exhaustion, which significantly impacted his health.

Vallejo’s challenging circumstances included financial struggles and health issues, ultimately leading to his hospitalization.

Vallejo’s contributions to literature, particularly his avant-garde poetry, have since gained widespread recognition, marking him as a key figure in the literary landscape

5. He was jailed for over 112 days in Trujillo, Peru as a political prisoner

On the first of August, the house owned by the Santa María Calderón family, involved in transporting goods and alcohol, was looted and burned. César Vallejo faced unjust accusations, being falsely implicated as both a participant and instigator of the incident.

Fearing arrest, Vallejo went into hiding but was eventually discovered. He was arrested and confined to a Trujillo jail for 112 days, from November 6, 1920, until February 26, 1921.

This unjust incarceration left a lasting impact on Vallejo, influencing his perspectives on social justice and inequality, themes that later surfaced in his literary works.

6. Vallejo was a member of the intellectual community called North Group

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César was a member of the intellectual community known as the North Group. This group was formed in the Peruvian north coastal city of Trujillo.

The North Group, active during the 1920s, brought together writers, poets, and intellectuals who sought to explore avant-garde and modernist ideas. Vallejo’s association with this community allowed him to engage in intellectual discussions, share creative insights, and contribute to the literary movements of the time.

His involvement with the North Group played a significant role in shaping his artistic perspectives and literary endeavors during that period.

7. His poetry is marked by a deep concern for human suffering

Vallejo’s poetry is profoundly marked by a deep concern for human suffering. Vallejo, a prominent Peruvian poet, expressed a keen sensitivity to the struggles and injustices experienced by individuals, addressing themes of poverty, oppression, and the human condition.

His work reflects a compassionate exploration of the complexities of existence, capturing the emotional and physical hardships faced by marginalized and disenfranchised communities.

Vallejo’s commitment to portraying the human experience with empathy and insight has solidified his legacy as a poet who engages with the profound aspects of suffering and the resilience of the human spirit.

8. Vallejo’s final years were marked by illness and financial struggles

Juan Domingo Córdoba, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

César’s final years were characterized by illness and financial difficulties. Despite facing these challenges, he continued to write prolifically until his death at the age of 46.

Vallejo’s commitment to his craft persisted, and he produced significant literary works during this challenging period. His poetry, marked by its depth and innovative style, remains a testament to his resilience and dedication to artistic expression even in the face of personal hardships.

Vallejo’s enduring contributions to literature have solidified his reputation as one of the most influential and impactful poets of the 20th century.

9. He was embalmed

On March 24, César Vallejo was hospitalized for an unknown illness, later identified as a reactivated form of malaria from his childhood.

On April 7 and 8, his condition deteriorated critically, and he passed away a week later, on April 15, in Paris, on a holy and rainy Friday. Contrary to the suggestion in his poem “Black Stone on a White Stone,” Vallejo did not die on a Thursday.

He was embalmed after his death, and the circumstances surrounding his final days, his illness, and the timing of his passing remain integral aspects of his biography.

10. His funeral eulogy was written by the French writer Louis Aragon

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Vallejo’s funeral eulogy was written by the French writer Louis Aragon. Following his death on April 15, 1938, Vallejo’s remains were initially transferred to the Mansion of Culture on April 19, and later to the Montrouge cemetery.

On April 3, 1970, his widow, Georgette Vallejo, arranged for the relocation and reinterment of his remains to the Montparnasse cemetery, a significant move that further solidified Vallejo’s resting place in Paris, where he had spent a considerable part of his life and created some of his most influential works.

11. His death was fictionalized in Roberto Bolano’s novel Monsieur Pain

Vallejo’s death was fictionalized in Roberto Bolaño’s novel “Monsieur Pain.” The novel, published in 1999, incorporates Vallejo’s final days and the circumstances surrounding his death as part of its narrative.

Bolaño, a Chilean author known for his intricate and imaginative storytelling, included Vallejo as a character in this work, weaving elements of reality with fiction.

The novel explores themes of illness, death, and literary legacy, providing a unique perspective on Vallejo’s life and the impact of his work on subsequent generations of writers.

12. César published only two books of poetry during his lifetime

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 César published only two books of poetry during his lifetime. Despite this seemingly limited output, Vallejo is widely regarded as one of the great poetic innovators of the 20th century in any language.

His influence stems from the distinctiveness and revolutionary nature of each of his books, showcasing his ability to stay ahead of literary currents.

Vallejo’s poetic legacy extends beyond the quantity of his published works, with his profound impact on the trajectory of modern poetry, marked by innovation, depth, and a unique exploration of the human experience.

13. Vallejo’s posthumous won the National Book Award for translation in 1979

In 1979, Clayton Eshleman and José Rubia Barcia were honored with the National Book Award for translation for their rendition of “The Complete Posthumous Poetry of César Vallejo.”

14. He is considered one of the greatest avant-garde Spanish language poets

Juan Domingo Córdoba, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Vallejo is widely considered one of the greatest avant-garde Spanish language poets.

Vallejo’s innovative and experimental approach to poetry, marked by profound themes, linguistic richness, and a unique style, has earned him acclaim as a key figure in the avant-garde movement of the 20th century.

His contributions to literature, particularly his exploration of human suffering, social injustice, and the human condition, have solidified his status as a literary icon. Vallejo’s influence extends beyond his lifetime, impacting subsequent generations of poets and readers worldwide.

15. Vallejo wrote five plays, none of which was staged or published during his lifetime

César wrote five plays, none of which were staged or published during his lifetime. Despite his efforts in dramatic writing, Vallejo faced challenges in getting his plays recognized and produced.

His theatrical works remained relatively unknown until after his death, when they were later discovered and published posthumously.

Vallejo’s plays, like much of his poetry, showcase his unique literary style and thematic exploration, contributing to his reputation as a versatile and innovative writer, albeit one whose theatrical contributions gained recognition only in the years following his passing.

The astonishing facts presented unveil new dimensions of César Vallejo behind the monumental literary legacy, spotlighting his humble beginnings, personal tragedies, distinctive writing, and indelible influence.

By illuminating the compassion and controversy that colored Vallejo’s career, these insights provide a more nuanced understanding of how this iconic poet gave voice to the oppressed. The man exceeds the mythos.