Jorge Mañach y Robato (February 14, 1898, Sagua La Grande, Cuba – June 25, 1961, San Juan, Puerto Rico) was a Cuban writer and attorney, considered among the most distinguished of his time.

Education

His studies of José Martí, the 'Apostle of Cuban Independence', are estimated to be among the best political and literary interpretations. Mañach was educated in Cuba, Spain, the United States, and France. He graduated from Harvard University in 1920, with a B.A. in Philosophy. From there he continued his higher education studies at the Université du Droit et de la Santé de Lille in Paris, and then at the University of Havana in Cuba.

Career

Mañach was one of the founders of the avant-garde magazine Revista de Avance which was launched in Havana in 1927. In the 1930s, he taught at Columbia University in New York City. He was a participant of the revolution of 1933, and of the fights against Cuban Dictator Fulgencio Batista. He briefly was Foreign Minister of Cuba in 1944.

Personal life

Because of his criticism of the Fidel Castro government he was forced to go into exile in 1960. He died in Puerto Rico in 1961. He was married to Margot Baños and they had one son, Dr. Jorge Mañach-Baños. His first cousin, Edelmira Sampedro y Robato, married the heir to the Spanish throne.

Primary works