Adolfo Carranza
Encyclopedia
Adolfo Carranza was an Argentine lawyer, public official, historian, and writer who established the National Historical Museum.
to María Eugenia del Mármol and Adolfo Carranza. He enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires
Law School, earning a juris doctor
, and in 1880 married Carmen García Lara, with whom he had one daughter.
Carranza entered public service, and was appointed Economic Affairs Attaché
to the Argentine Embassy
in Paraguay
. He later served as Section Chief for the Interior Ministry
. Carranza, during the late 1880s, developed a correspondence with nuerous relatives of key figures and veterans of the Argentine War of Independence
. He collected a wide variety of vintage weapons, documents, memorabilia, furniture and other items related to the 1810 — 21 struggle, and was later given purview over similar artifacts already on display at the Museo Público.
His initiative resulted in the establishment of Museo Histórico de la Capital (Historical Museum of the Capital) by Mayor Francisco Seeber
on May 24, 1889, and with Carranza as director, the institution opened its doors to the public on February 15, 1891.
Carranza initially operated the museum jointly with a commission led by former Presidents Bartolomé Mitre
, Julio Roca, and other members of the National Academy of History of Argentina
, which he joined in 1901. He steadily expanded the museum's collections with both outside donations, as well as his own, which included an antiquarian library of over 8,000 volumes and his numismatic collection. He published a historical journal
, La Revista Nacional, until 1893, and later established the museum periodical, Revista del Museo. Carranza secured the museum's relocation to the former Lezama mansion (in what became Lezama Park
) in 1897.
A professional historian, he authored numerous works on the fitful history of Argentina
, including Hojas históricas (1893), Leyendas Nacionales (1894), and San Martín
(y su correspondencia), a 1905 anthology of the Liberator's correspondence. He created a compendium of prized documentats held by the General Archive of the Nation
, and published two further periodicals, Ilustración Histórica Argentina (1908), and La Ilustración Histórica (1911).
The renowned curator and historian died suddenly in Buenos Aires in 1914, at age 57. He was interred at La Recoleta Cemetery
.
Life and times
Adolfo Pedro Carranza was born in Buenos AiresBuenos 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...
to María Eugenia del Mármol and Adolfo Carranza. He enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires
University of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 4 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos...
Law School, earning a juris doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
, and in 1880 married Carmen García Lara, with whom he had one daughter.
Carranza entered public service, and was appointed Economic Affairs Attaché
Attaché
Attaché is a French term in diplomacy referring to a person who is assigned to the diplomatic or administrative staff of a higher placed person or another service or agency...
to the Argentine Embassy
Foreign relations of Argentina
This article deals with the diplomatic affairs, foreign policy and international relations of Argentina.At the political level, these matters are officially handled by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, also known as the Cancillería, which answers to the President...
in Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
. He later served as Section Chief for the Interior Ministry
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
. Carranza, during the late 1880s, developed a correspondence with nuerous relatives of key figures and veterans of the Argentine War of Independence
Argentine War of Independence
The Argentine War of Independence was fought from 1810 to 1818 by Argentine patriotic forces under Manuel Belgrano, Juan José Castelli and José de San Martín against royalist forces loyal to the Spanish crown...
. He collected a wide variety of vintage weapons, documents, memorabilia, furniture and other items related to the 1810 — 21 struggle, and was later given purview over similar artifacts already on display at the Museo Público.
His initiative resulted in the establishment of Museo Histórico de la Capital (Historical Museum of the Capital) by Mayor Francisco Seeber
Francisco Seeber
Francisco Seeber was an Argentine military officer, businessman and Mayor of Buenos Aires.-Life and times:...
on May 24, 1889, and with Carranza as director, the institution opened its doors to the public on February 15, 1891.
Carranza initially operated the museum jointly with a commission led by former Presidents Bartolomé Mitre
Bartolomé Mitre
Bartolomé Mitre Martínez was an Argentine statesman, military figure, and author. He was the President of Argentina from 1862 to 1868.-Life and times:...
, Julio Roca, and other members of the National Academy of History of Argentina
National Academy of History of Argentina
The National Academy of History of the Argentine Republic is a non-profit learned society established to foster the study and dissemination of Argentine history.-Overview:...
, which he joined in 1901. He steadily expanded the museum's collections with both outside donations, as well as his own, which included an antiquarian library of over 8,000 volumes and his numismatic collection. He published a historical journal
Historical Journal
The Historical Journal is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Cambridge University Press. It publishes approximately thirty-five articles per year on all aspects of British, European, and world history since the fifteenth century. In addition, each issue contains numerous review articles...
, La Revista Nacional, until 1893, and later established the museum periodical, Revista del Museo. Carranza secured the museum's relocation to the former Lezama mansion (in what became Lezama Park
Lezama Park
Lezama Park is a public park in the San Telmo district of Buenos Aires, Argentina.-Overview:Historians believe the park's eastern barranca to have been the site of Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Mendoza's landing on what became the first, failed attempt to establish Buenos Aires in 1536...
) in 1897.
A professional historian, he authored numerous works on the fitful history of Argentina
History of Argentina
The history of Argentina is divided by historians into four main parts: the pre-Columbian time, or early history , the colonial period , the independence wars and the early post-colonial period of the nation and the history of modern Argentina .The beginning of prehistory in the present territory of...
, including Hojas históricas (1893), Leyendas Nacionales (1894), and San Martín
José de San Martín
José Francisco de San Martín, known simply as Don José de San Martín , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.Born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , he left his mother country at the...
(y su correspondencia), a 1905 anthology of the Liberator's correspondence. He created a compendium of prized documentats held by the General Archive of the Nation
General Archive of the Nation (Argentina)
The General Archive of the Nation are the national archives of Argentina.-Overview:The archives were established on August 28, 1821, by Governor Martín Rodríguez as the Buenos Aires Province Archive...
, and published two further periodicals, Ilustración Histórica Argentina (1908), and La Ilustración Histórica (1911).
The renowned curator and historian died suddenly in Buenos Aires in 1914, at age 57. He was interred at La Recoleta Cemetery
La Recoleta Cemetery
La Recoleta Cemetery is a famous cemetery located in the exclusive Recoleta neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It contains the graves of notable people, including Eva Perón, Raúl Alfonsín, and several presidents of Argentina.- History :...
.