Peruvian Personalities & Founders

Peruvian Personalities & Founders

Peru is a country with a history and culture going back many thousand years and is characterized by its diversity with people from different social and cultural backgrounds, countries and reasons to live and stay in, fight for or come to Peru. In its long history Peru produced many important personalities that were not only significant for Peru's cultural, social and political development, but as well in general for Latin America and the whole world.

Peruvians are very proud of their heroes. To honor and to always remember these important figures of the Peruvian past and present many "plazas", streets and parks are named after them and monuments build everywhere in the cities. Quite a lot museums are named after and / or dedicated to them. Religious personalities are adored in "their" churches and worshiped in amazing processions.

Unfortunately little is know about the great men who came over 10.000 years ago to Peru, made it a habitable place to live and developed the impressive ancient cultures. The history of Peru and its famous personalities can only be exactly traced back since the 15th century, when the Spaniards arrived and recorded important matters in writing. But even in this short time of Peru's history there are many famous Peruvians who are worth mentioning: The founders of Peru, the heroes of independence, war heroes, eminent scientist, writers, authors and artists, religious personalities, politicians and even sportsmen.

We are trying to create a comprehensive list of as much personalities of Peru as possible and introduce them to you. If there is one missing you think is worth mentioning, please let us know. We will try to find out more and include him or her in our list...

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Jorge Basadre Grohmann (1903 -1980)

Jorge Basadre Grohmann is one of the most notable Peruvian historians. The doctor of literature and law was born on the 12th of February 1903, in the southern Peruvian city of Tacna. As a professor, researcher and publicist Jorge Basadre opened a new page in the view of history, introducing innovative methods and perspectives. His main focus and dedication was always the Peruvian Republican history. Basadre left us many significant publications.

Abraham Valdelomar Pinto (1888 -1919)

Pedro Abraham Valdelomar Pinto was a famous Peruvian writer leaving us some of the most beautiful Peruvian narrations, short stories, plays for theaters, essays and chronicles. He was a regular at the famous Palais Concert, a café and the center for regular meetings of Lima's intellectual scene; and here he made the well-known statement: "Perú is Lima, Lima is the Jirón de la Unión, the Jirón de la Unión is the Palais Concert and the Palais Concert... that's me!"

José Abelardo Quiñones Gonzáles (1914-1941)

The aviator José Quiñones was born on the 22nd of April 1914 in the port of Pimentel. The best fighter pilot of the year 1939, he was the first cadet performing an inverted loop and three "tanneaux verticales", a pirouette in which the aircraft rotates around its pivotal point flying in horizontal direction. José Quiñones died in action in July 1941 during the Peruvian War with Ecuador. In 1966 he was declared National Hero.

Raúl Porras Barrenechea (1897-1960)

Raúl Porras Barrenechea was a famous Peruvian lawyer, professor, historian, writer, diplomat and politician. For his valuable researches he was honored twice (1945 and 1956) with the 'Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Prize' in history. With his innovative views on history and literature he brought Peruvian aspects to an international level and inspired the cultural live of a whole generation. His preferred historical era was the time of the conquerors.

Santa Rosa de Lima (1586-1617)

Santa Rosa de Lima is the patroness of Lima, Peru, the Americas and the Philippines. Already as a child Rosa was possessed with the veneration of religion, as a young adult she lived in absolute adoration of God. Rosa filled her day with praying, hard work, self-torture and helping sick and poor people in her community. Years of self-martyrdom ended in her death aged only 31. She became the first Saint of the New World.

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