Emilio Prados
Emilio Prados (1899-1962) was a prominent Spanish poet born in Málaga, Spain, who faced significant health challenges throughout his life. His early experiences with illness instilled in him a deep appreciation for nature and a preference for solitude. Raised in a family that valued honesty and respect for others, Prados often stood up for the disadvantaged, a theme that would resonate throughout his life and work. He began his studies in natural sciences but later became involved in literary circles, befriending notable figures such as Federico García Lorca.
In 1920, after being diagnosed with tuberculosis and given a limited time to live, Prados began writing with urgency, marking the beginning of his literary career. His involvement in liberal political movements and his eventual disillusionment with politics led him to focus on social justice. Prados co-founded the literary journal Litoral and was active in the Spanish Civil War, supporting the republic's efforts. Following the war's defeat in 1939, he moved to Mexico, where he continued to write despite facing poverty and loneliness. Prados passed away from tuberculosis in Mexico City, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to social causes and a rich body of poetic work.
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Emilio Prados
Poet
- Born: March 4, 1899
- Birthplace: Málaga, Spain
- Died: April 24, 1962
- Place of death: Mexico City, Mexico
Biography
The poet Emilio Prados was born on March 4, 1899, in Málaga, Spain, to Emilio Prados Navero, a furniture manufacturing company owner, and Josefa Such de Prados. Prados was often ill as a child and spent much of his time outdoors in order to improve his health. This engendered in Prados a profound love of nature and a preference for solitude over the company of others. Prados also was inspired by his father, who taught the boy to be honest, generous, and respectful and protective of others. Despite his often poor health, young Prados stood up to bullies threatening other children, and throughout his life he strove to protect the rights of the disadvantaged.
Prados’s interest in nature led him to study the natural sciences when, in 1915, he enrolled in the preparatory schoolpilot program at Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid. While there, Prados often was rebellious, and he was twice expelled for his confrontations with teachers. At this time, Prados also discovered the philosophical ideas that would later influence his writing and became friends with future writer Federico García Lorca.
In 1920, Prados was diagnosed with tuberculosis and told he had six months to live. His brother, Miguel, was studying medicine in London and took leave of his studies to take his brother to a tuberculosis clinic in Davos, Switzerland. Believing he was soon to die, Prados began writing with, as one biographer described it, “a sense of urgency and commitment.” After his release from the clinic and a visit to Paris and Madrid, Prados returned to Málaga in 1921. In his hometown he was stimulated by the artistic and literary activities of the time, experienced his first romance, and renewed his penchant for philosophy. He moved to Madrid in 1922, participating in liberal political movements. However, he eventually became disenchanted with politics, believing the Marxists in Madrid lacked sufficient seriousness, and he returned to Málaga.
By 1926, Prados and Manuel Altolaguirre had founded Litoral, a successful literary journal, and had established a publishing company. Both endeavors contributed to Prados’s discovery and interest in literary theory and Surrealism, but he shortly lost interest after he determined they were escapist activities that avoided a commitment to social justice. He grew further disenchanted when Litoral and his publishing company went out of business because of lack of funding. Depressed and disillusioned, Prados relentlessly sought to become more politically active, organizing a union for graphic art workers and teaching the workers’ children to read and write.
In 1936, Prados participated in the Spanish Civil War, working with such organizations as the Red Cross and taking part in the efforts of the international brigades, the Fifth Regiment, and Radio Madrid in support of the Spanish republic. Upon the defeat of the republic in 1939, Prados immigrated to Mexico, where he would spend the rest of his life, often alone, usually poor and ailing, but always writing. Although he was financially unstable and unmarried, Prados adopted a street urchin, Francisco Salas, in 1942 and later adopted a second homeless child. Prados died from tuberculosis on April 24, 1962, in Mexico City, Mexico.