Manuel González Zeledón (1864 -1936) was a writer, journalist, politician and lawyer born in Costa Rica. He had a limited but rich literary career. Additionally, he contributed to the founding of the newspaper The country. He was also a promoter of Costa Rican culture.
As a writer, he adopted the pseudonym 'Magón', following the initial syllables of his name and his first surname. Later, this nickname is the one that gave its name to the National Prize of Culture in Costa Rica. His works are considered costumbristas, being Magón the initiator of this trend in his country.
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Son of Don Joaquín González and Doña Jesús Zeledón, Magón was born in San José on December 24, 1864. He belonged to the middle class of the Costa Rican capital. His family was modest, but with good relationships in his social environment.
He had two brothers, José and Marcelina. His cousin was the now considered Costa Rican national poet, Aquileo J. Echeverría. He had a quiet childhood typical of his position.
His first steps in education were taken in the private school of Doña Eusebia Quirós, between 1870 and 1871. There he learned the letters that helped him to read and write moderately, in addition to counting to 100. He also received catechism lessons.
After completing his initial education, he went to a public elementary school from 1871 to 1875. Thanks to his brilliant performance as a student, he was awarded a scholarship to enter the National Institute.
Continuing with his brilliance, he managed to obtain great recognition in his time at the Institute of his teachers. Thanks to the awards won in this period, he obtained the title of lawyer.
In 1880, once he finished these studies and while still young, he had to immediately go to work. The unstable economic position of his family did not allow him otherwise, since he had to contribute to maintaining the home.
He learned much of the legal profession on his own and achieved a notable position in the notarial section of the Lyceum office. Here, he wrote a book entitled Common formulas in the practice of notary public, which became an official reference for his colleagues.
With his trip to Colombia in 1889, he formally began his time in politics. He resided in Bogotá for two and a half years, where he was appointed vice consul. Upon returning, in 1892, he was presented with the Senior Officials Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which he accepted and soon left..
He opened his own office as a lawyer, which was very successful, as he handled cases of renowned business houses. In 1895 he was elected as a deputy to Congress being a figure opposed to the government. This led him to found the opposition newspaper The country in 1900.
Among some of the positions and titles that he held, shortly before leaving Costa Rica and later when settling in New York, the following stand out:
- Commissioner General of Costa Rica for the International Exposition of San Luis in 1904.
- Founder and reelected president for 4 years of the Hispanic Literary Circle since 1910.
- Honorary President of the Spanish Charity Union.
- Consul General of Costa Rica, ad honorem, from 1910 to 1915.
- Inspector General of Consulates of Costa Rica in the United States, ad honorem, in 1924.
- Charge d'affaires ad interim of the Legation of Costa Rica in Washington, in 1932.
- Resident Minister, in 1934.
Manuel González Zeledón returned to San José, Costa Rica, in 1936 when he was still serving as Minister, after 30 years of absence. He arrived in the country on May 16, seriously ill. He died shortly after, on the 29th of the same month, at the age of 71..
In life he founded and animated multiple cultural, diplomatic and commercial groups. He entered politics with successes and failures. He wrote multiple articles of various kinds and works on storytelling. He served as an educator in Costa Rica and New York.
On October 29, 1953, the decree that entitled it Benemérito de las Letras Patrias was issued. On November 24, 1961, the Magón National Culture Award was created..
Framed within the realist era, Magón, the writer, emerges. On December 24, 1895, Manuel González Zeledón published his first literary work through the costumbrista chronicle. This he does in the newspaper Homeland, by Aquileo J. Echeverría, however, it goes on to others later.
He was greatly influenced by the adventures of his childhood, his family, home and friends, as well as the experiences he came to experience first in his education and then in the office where he began his life as a professional.
Regarding his work, beyond the other articles that he could write, the costumbrist paintings stand out. These focus on the behaviors that make a people, such as folklore and the different customs of the day to day. That is why his narratives take place in routines such as domestic assets.
The predominant setting in his works is the city, with little participation from the rural areas. The narrator is usually an adult, with some exceptions of the intervention of the child Magón. At times this narrator is omniscient, although the use of the narrator as an observer prevails.
These are some of his most popular literary works:
Own, 1909 (story).
The clis of the sun, 1871.
Things clear, 1925.
Good night, 1895.
A bath in the dam, 1896.
Two musicians, 1896.
A market day in the Main Square, 1896.
Some boyfriends, 1896.
A work of mercy, 1896.
Camañuelas, 1896.
Do you want to stay to eat?, 1896.
My first job, 1896.
A picnic lunch, 1896.
A candle, 1896.
A bath in the dam, 1896.
To the cheap, 1896.
The doll of the Child God, 1898.
The Tequendama, 1898.
November 2nd, 1900.
The Franco-Prussian War, 1910.
Pochet's mozotillo, 1913.
For justice, time, 1919.
Everything happens, 1924.
What time is it?, 1925.
Fifteen to ten, 1925.
Semper fidelis, 1925.
Cocoa of the year, 1933.
The two o'clock train, 1933.
Ode to Costa Rica, 1929.
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