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1896–1974 · Vega Baja · Literature • Journalism

Poet, novelist, journalist, and essayist associated with Puerto Rico's literary avant-garde. Together with Luis Palés Matos, he helped develop the literary movement known as Diepalismo.

1898–1959 · Guayama · Poetry • Literature

Born March 20, 1898 in Guayama. Died Febraury 23, 1959 in Santurce. One of Puerto Rico's greatest poets, Luis Palés Matos pioneered Afro-Antillean poetry by celebrating the island's African heritage through rhythm, music, and language. His groundbreaking work helped shape modern Puerto Rican literature and continues to be studied throughout Latin America. Some of his works include: "Tuntún de Pasa y Grifería" and "Ultimos Poemas" led many to think him Puerto Rico's most important 20th-century poet. His black or negroid poetry is so well known that people forget the exquisite works he produced in other genre. Among his best known poems are "Esa Mujer," "Danza Negra," "Majestad Negra," "Mujer Encinta," and "Pero Ahora, Mujer." He supported himself by working as a civil servant.