Mercedes Negrón Muñoz
Encyclopedia
Mercedes Negrón Muñoz a.k.a. "Clara Lair" (March 8, 1895 – August 26, 1973), was an influential poet
whose work dealt with the everyday struggles of the common Puerto Rican
.
, into one of Puerto Rico's most influential families, which included writers, poets and politician
s. The town of Barranquitas, where she was raised, is located in the central mountain region of the island. Her father was the poet Quintín Negrón and her uncles the poet Jose A. Negrón and poet and statesman Luis Muñoz Rivera
. She was also the cousin of Puerto Rico's first elected governor Luis Muñoz Marín
. Negrón Muñoz received her primary and secondary education in her hometown and she studied literature in the University of Puerto Rico
.
.
In 1950, she published her second book of poems, titled "Tropico Amargo" (Sour Tropic), In this book she included some of her previously published poems plus a new series of poems which she called "Mas Alla del Poniente". Both of her books received literary awards and public recognition from the Institute of Puerto Rican Literature. Among the many poets who were influenced by Negrón Muñoz' poetic style was the renowned Puerto Rican poet, Julia de Burgos
.
In 1961, The Puerto Rican Institute of Culture published a book which included a selection of her poems. The Puerto Rican Institute of Culture also published in their magazine fragments of her poems "Memoria de una isleña" (Memories of an Islander) and "Últimos" (Last). The Puerto Rican poet Luis Llorens Torres
called Mercedes "The Puerto Rican Alfonsina Storni". Mercedes Negrón Muñoz died on August 26, 1973 in San Juan, Puerto Rico
.
published a book about Negrón Muñoz titled "Dos Petisas de América: Clara Lair y Julia de Burgos
". A docudrama about the life of Negrón Muñoz titled "A Passion Named Clara Lair" was produced and directed by Ivonne Belen
in 1996. Puerto Rico has honored her memory by naming a school after her and in the town of Hormigueros
, there is a Hogar Clara Lair, a non-profit organization founded in 1991, which protects defenseless women.
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...
whose work dealt with the everyday struggles of the common Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Early years
Negrón Muñoz was born in Barranquitas, Puerto RicoBarranquitas, Puerto Rico
Barranquitas is a small mountain town located in the central region of Puerto Rico, south of Corozal and Naranjito; north of Coamo and Aibonito; west of Comerío and Cidra; and east of Orocovis. Barranquitas is spread over 6 wards and Barranquitas Pueblo...
, into one of Puerto Rico's most influential families, which included writers, poets and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
s. The town of Barranquitas, where she was raised, is located in the central mountain region of the island. Her father was the poet Quintín Negrón and her uncles the poet Jose A. Negrón and poet and statesman Luis Muñoz Rivera
Luis Muñoz Rivera
Luis Muñoz Rivera was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist and politician. He was a major figure in the struggle for political autonomy of Puerto Rico....
. She was also the cousin of Puerto Rico's first elected governor Luis Muñoz Marín
Luis Muñoz Marín
Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, a renowned autonomist leader...
. Negrón Muñoz received her primary and secondary education in her hometown and she studied literature in the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
.
"Clara Lair"
Negrón Muñoz, influenced by her family's love of literature, developed a love for poetry because it was the form of art which permitted her to freely express herself. In 1937, she published one of her most renowned poems, "Arras de Cristal" (Cracked Glass) under the name "Clara Lair", her assumed pseudonym. She soon gained recognition as one of the great poets of Latin AmericaLatin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
.
In 1950, she published her second book of poems, titled "Tropico Amargo" (Sour Tropic), In this book she included some of her previously published poems plus a new series of poems which she called "Mas Alla del Poniente". Both of her books received literary awards and public recognition from the Institute of Puerto Rican Literature. Among the many poets who were influenced by Negrón Muñoz' poetic style was the renowned Puerto Rican poet, Julia de Burgos
Julia de Burgos
Julia Constancia Burgos García is considered by many as the greatest poet to have been born in Puerto Rico, and along with Gabriela Mistral, is considered as one of the greatest female poets of Latin America...
.
In 1961, The Puerto Rican Institute of Culture published a book which included a selection of her poems. The Puerto Rican Institute of Culture also published in their magazine fragments of her poems "Memoria de una isleña" (Memories of an Islander) and "Últimos" (Last). The Puerto Rican poet Luis Llorens Torres
Luis Lloréns Torres
Luis Llorens Torres , was a Puerto Rican poet, playwright, and politician. He was an advocate for the independence of Puerto Rico.-Early years:...
called Mercedes "The Puerto Rican Alfonsina Storni". Mercedes Negrón Muñoz died on August 26, 1973 in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
.
Legacy
Isabel Cuchí CollIsabel Cuchí Coll
Isabel Cuchí Coll was a journalist, author and the Director of the "Sociedad de Autores Puertorriqueño"...
published a book about Negrón Muñoz titled "Dos Petisas de América: Clara Lair y Julia de Burgos
Julia de Burgos
Julia Constancia Burgos García is considered by many as the greatest poet to have been born in Puerto Rico, and along with Gabriela Mistral, is considered as one of the greatest female poets of Latin America...
". A docudrama about the life of Negrón Muñoz titled "A Passion Named Clara Lair" was produced and directed by Ivonne Belen
Ivonne Belen
Ivonne Belén is a Puerto Rican documentary movie director and producer.-Early years:Belén was born and raised in San Juan, the Capital of Puerto Rico, where she received her primary and secondary education. As a child Belén enjoyed setting up improvised plays for her family. Her first...
in 1996. Puerto Rico has honored her memory by naming a school after her and in the town of Hormigueros
Hormigueros, Puerto Rico
Hormigueros is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the western region of the island, northeast of Cabo Rojo; northwest of San Germán; and south of Mayagüez. Hormigueros is spread over 5 wards and Hormigueros Pueblo...
, there is a Hogar Clara Lair, a non-profit organization founded in 1991, which protects defenseless women.
See also
- List of Puerto Rican writers
- List of Famous Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican literature