Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno (1859 - 1951) was a Guayaquil politician, lawyer and writer who served as President of the Republic of Ecuador between 1916 and 1920.
He was interested in the arts, studied music at the National Conservatory. Baquerizo published short novels and poetry, he also collaborated in Ecuadorian media and newspapers, he was also a member of the Academy of Language.
In the political field, Baquerizo Moreno worked in the most diverse activities, among which were the positions such as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador, Vice President of the Republic and President of the Senate..
His government as first president brought peace and progress to the political environment of Ecuador that, for almost a century, had passed between caudillos and revolutions that came from any part of the territory..
Baquerizo Moreno tried to raise the level of public instruction by assigning a larger budget and multiplying the schools. Likewise, he built large infrastructure works and was concerned with improving the country's health system.
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José Alfredo Wenceslao del Corazón de la Concepción Baquerizo Moreno was born on December 23, 1859 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. His father was José María Baquerizo Noboa, who during García Moreno's second term served as Minister of Finance.
Alfredo Baquerizo's mother was Rosario Moreno Ferruzola, García Moreno's cousin and owner of a ranch called Los Morenos. She was in charge of preparing it in primary education, for which Baquerizo was always grateful.
Then he went to the Colegio San Vicente del Guayas and was later transferred to the capital to enter the San Gabriel de Quito, which was run by Jesuits. There he learned Latin and became interested in the classics, and even made translations into Spanish of famous works by Virgilio and Horacio. He also learned foreign languages.
In 1872 he began musical studies at the National Conservatory, under the tutelage of Ginno Rossi and there he stood out for his skills in execution. At this time his father died and the family had to face great financial difficulties.
Baquerizo received his Bachelor's degree in 1877 and enrolled in the Central University as a law student. At this time his literary vocation awakened, which was draining in his collaborations with the La Nación newspaper From Guayaquil.
During the Veintemilla government he maintained good relations with the president and his niece, due to their natural inclination towards the arts, one of the elements that dominated the room of the young Marietta de Veintemilla. In 1884 he received his law degree from the Central University.
Baquerizo was in charge of the secretariat of the Superior Court of Justice until 1886, the year in which he married Piedad Roca Marcos and retired to Guayaquil. The following year he served as a Consular Judge of Commerce.
Since then, he was concerned about politics and began to participate in different positions as Mayor, or Judge. But he felt identified with liberal ideas, which triumphed in the Revolution of 1895.
Baquerizo's true entry into public political life was in 1902, when Leónidas Plaza summoned him to take over the Ministry of Foreign Relations. Later, he was sent as Minister Plenipotentiary to Cuba and Colombia.
Baquerizo was chosen as Vice President of the Republic of Ecuador between 1903 and 1907, a period that could not be concluded by the coup against the government of Lizardo García in 1906 that imposed Eloy Alfaro as Supreme Chief. In 1912 Alfredo Baquerizo was elected as Senator of Guayas.
On September 1, 1916, Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno assumed his position in the First Magistracy of Ecuador. He had to receive a nation that was ruined by constant internal disputes.
The Baquerizo government brought to Ecuador a peaceful and progressive environment. Education was one of the most important issues for this administration. New educational establishments were created, higher sums were allocated for this particular and the school curricula were updated.
During this presidential term, the press had absolute freedom and individual rights were also respected by the State. An eight-hour workday was instituted.
The country's infrastructure improved dramatically: bridges, highways, electric lighting and the extension of the railway were some of the works to which Baquerizo gave priority between 1916 and 1920.
The sanitation of the city of Guayaquil was also a highlight of the Baquerizo government, which hired an expert in the field to eradicate yellow fever from the coast. The abolition of prison for debts was also decreed.
During Baquerizo's mandate, the Muñoz Vernaza-Suárez Treaty with Colombia was signed.
On March 23, 1951, Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno died in New York City, United States. He had been transferred there by one of his daughters for surgery to treat the bladder cancer that had been diagnosed..
Alfredo Baquerizo was a traditional writer. Despite having shone in politics, he also stood out among Ecuadorian writers. He collaborated in media such as The nation From Guayaquil, The Comet and the magazine Guayaquil.
Their stories were usually inspired by middle-class Guayaquil society. It did not describe geography, rather it focused on city life, with a humorous approach. Baquerizo was a Full Member of the Ecuadorian Academy of the Language.
- Tears (1881).
- Guayas rumors (1881).
- The New Paradise (1881).
- Poetic Essays (1882), together with Nicolás Augusto González Tola and Juan Illingworth Ycaza.
- The last good-bye (1898).
- Yearnings and fears (1899).
- Love and country (1882), together with Nicolás Augusto González Tola.
- Titania (1893).
- Mr. Ponce (1901).
- Light (1901).
- A prose Sonata (1901).
- The New Paradise (1910).
- Inland (1937).
- Ecclesiastical Business Memories (1902).
- Speeches, Addresses, Letters, Articles, Telegrams (1935).
- Tribute Chronicles (1940).
- Selection of Essays (1940).
- Yesterday and today (1946).
- Thoughts (1959), posthumous work.
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