Famous Ecuadorian Writers

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 1 
Lenín Moreno
(Political leader)
Lenín Moreno
4
Birthdate: March 19, 1953
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nuevo Rocafuerte

Lenín Moreno is an Ecuadorian politician and the current president of Ecuador. Before being elected as the president, Moreno served as the vice president under President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2013. Also known for his support towards people with disabilities, Moreno received a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.  

 2 
Matilde Hidalgo
(The First Ecuadorian Woman to Exercise Suffrage)
Matilde Hidalgo
2
Birthdate: September 29, 1889
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Loja, Ecuador
Died: February 20, 1974

Matilde Hidalgo was an Ecuadorian poet, physician, and activist. The first Ecuadorian woman to exercise suffrage, Hidalgo fought for women's rights throughout her life. Today, Matilde Hidalgo is recognized as one of the most prominent women in Ecuadorian history.

 3 
Eugenio Espejo
(Writer & Medical Pioneer)
Eugenio Espejo
2
Birthdate: February 21, 1747
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Quito, Spanish Empire
Died: December 28, 1795

Eugenio Espejo was a medical pioneer, writer, and lawyer. He was of mestizo origin in colonial Ecuador. He inspired the separatist movement in Quito and is regarded as a key figure in colonial Ecuador. He spread enlightened ideas in the Royal Audiencia and wrote about sanitary conditions in colonial Ecuador. He aspired to awaken a rebellious spirit in the people.

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 4 
Juan Montalvo
(Ecuadorian Essayist and Author)
Juan Montalvo
2
Birthdate: April 13, 1832
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ambato, Ecuador
Died: January 17, 1889

Juan Montalvo was an Ecuadorian essayist and author. He is best remembered for his 1880 work Las catilinarias, which made him popular throughout intellectual circles in Europe, the USA, and the rest of Latin America. Although the book made him famous, it also forced him to live in France for the rest of his life as a refugee.

 5 
Juan Leon Mera
(Ecuadorian Novelist, Essayist, Painter, and Politician)
Juan Leon Mera
1
Birthdate: June 28, 1832
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ambato, Ecuador
Died: December 13, 1894

Juan Leon Mera was an Ecuadorian novelist, essayist, painter, and politician. He is credited with writing Ecuador's national anthem, Salve, Oh Patria. Among his other well-known literary works is a novel titled Cumandá, which was translated into English by Noé O. Vaca in 2007.

 6 
Zoraida Córdova
(Ecuadorian-American Writer Who Specializes in Children's Literature)
Zoraida Córdova
1
Birthdate: June 26, 1987
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Zoraida Córdova is an Ecuadorian-American writer who specializes in children's literature. She is best known for a series of novels, collectively known as Brooklyn Brujas. Zoraida Córdova also writes short stories and works as an editor.

 7 
Jorge Icaza Coronel
(Ecuadorian Playwright and Novelist)
Jorge Icaza Coronel
1
Birthdate: June 10, 1906
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Quito, Ecuador
Died: May 26, 1978

Jorge Icaza Coronel was an Ecuadorian writer best remembered for his novel Huasipungo, which brought to light the exploitation of the indigenous people of Ecuador by Ecuadorian whites. After starting his career as a playwright, Jorge Icaza Coronel went on to establish himself as a novelist and achieved fame after writing about Ecuador's social conditions. 

 8 
Fernando Chaves
(Ecuadorian Novelist, Journalist, and Essayist)
Fernando Chaves
1
Birthdate: February 13, 1902
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Otavalo, Ecuador
Died: 1999 AD

Fernando Chaves was an Ecuadorian novelist, journalist, and essayist. He also served as Ecuador's ambassador to Nicaragua and El Salvador. Fernando Chaves was the first writer from Ecuador to depict an indigenous theme and his 1927 novel Silver and Bronze was Ecuador's first indigenist novel.

 9 
Alfredo Pareja Diezcanseco
(Ecuadorian Novelist and a Founding Member of the Literary Group 'Grupo de Guayaquil')
Alfredo Pareja Diezcanseco
1
Birthdate: October 12, 1908
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Died: May 3, 1993

Alfredo Pareja Diezcanseco was an Ecuadorian essayist, novelist, journalist, diplomat, and historian. He is credited with co-founding a popular literary group called Grupo de Guayaquil. Over the course of his illustrious career, Pareja won many literary awards, including the prestigious Eugenio Espejo National Award. From 1979 to 1980, Alfredo Pareja Diezcanseco also served as Ecuador's foreign minister.

 10 
Jorge Enrique Adoum
(Ecuadorian Writer, Politician, Poet, and Diplomat)
Jorge Enrique Adoum
1
Birthdate: June 29, 1926
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ambato, Ecuador
Died: July 3, 2009

Jorge Enrique Adoum was an Ecuadorian writer, politician, poet, and diplomat. One of the most prominent exponents of Latin American poetry, Adoum was the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Casa de las Américas Prize. Jorge Enrique Adoum is best remembered for his novel Between Marx and a Naked Woman, which earned him Mexico's Xavier Villaurrutia Prize.

 11 
Francisco Tobar Garcia
(Ecuadorian Playwright, Poet and Diplomat)
Francisco Tobar Garcia
1
Birthdate: November 3, 1928
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Quito, Ecuador
Died: February 1, 1997

Francisco Tobar García was an Ecuadorian playwright, poet, short story writer, journalist, essayist, diplomat, professor, and literary critic. He is best remembered for his service as a diplomat for the Ecuadorian government in Venezuela, Haiti, and Spain. Francisco Tobar García was also a visiting professor at the Complutense University of Madrid and the National University of La Plata.

 12 
Jorge Carrera Andrade
(One of the 20th Century's Most Prominent Latin American Poets)
Jorge Carrera Andrade
1
Birthdate: September 18, 1903
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Quito, Ecuador
Died: November 7, 1978

Jorge Carrera Andrade was an Ecuadorian author, poet, diplomat, and historian. He is widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most prominent Latin American poets. Most of his poems have been translated into English, French, German, and Italian. Apart from his literary career, Jorge Carrera Andrade also served as an ambassador to the UK, France, Belgium, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

 13 
Monica Ojeda
(Ecuadorian Author Known for Her Depiction of Taboo Topics)
Monica Ojeda
0
Birthdate: May 17, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Ecuadorian author Monica Ojeda is known for her use of taboo topics as themes in her works. She depicts issues such as sexual perversion, religion, and pain with a feminist tone and is known for works such as Mandibula. She also calls her genre of work “Andean Gothic.”

 14 
José de la Cuadra
(Ecuadorian Writer and One of the Most Important Exponents of Social Realism)
José de la Cuadra
1
Birthdate: September 3, 1903
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Died: February 27, 1941

José de la Cuadra was an Ecuadorian writer and one of the most important exponents of social realism. His short stories are counted among the most prominent in Ecuadorian literature. José de la Cuadra was part of Guayaquil Group, one of the most popular Ecuadorian literary groups. Many of his works have been translated into several languages.

 15 
Joaquín Gallegos Lara
(Ecuadorian Novelist, Poet, Short Story Writer, and Essayist)
Joaquín Gallegos Lara
1
Birthdate: April 9, 1909
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Died: November 16, 1947

Joaquín Gallegos Lara was an Ecuadorian novelist, poet, short story writer, and essayist. An exponent of social realism, Lara is best remembered for writing poems that discussed the social and political situations of his country. His poems were often published in literary magazines like Cosmos, Ilustración, Letras y Números, and Variedades.

 16 
Luz Elisa Borja Martinez
(Ecuadorian Pianist, Poet, Sculptor, and Painter)
Luz Elisa Borja Martinez
1
Birthdate: May 15, 1903
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Riobamba, Ecuador
Died: July 10, 1927

Luz Elisa Borja Martinez was an Ecuadorian pianist, poet, sculptor, and painter. Regarded as one of the most illustrious poets of her generation, Borja achieved success within Ecuador and won several awards. Some of her works are displayed at a cultural organization called Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana.

 17 
Rosa Borja de Ycaza
(Ecuadorian Poet, Essayist Writer and an Ardent Advocate for Women's Rights)
Rosa Borja de Ycaza
1
Birthdate: July 30, 1889
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Died: December 22, 1964

Rosa Borja de Ycaza was an Ecuadorian poet, essayist, writer, dramatist, novelist, sociologist, activist, and feminist. She is credited with founding a magazine called Nuevos Horizontes. An ardent advocate for women's rights, Rosa Borja de Ycaza is also credited with establishing the Women's Legion of Popular Culture with other popular feminists like Amarilis Fuentes.

 18 
Cristina Reyes
(Ecuadorian Lawyer, Politician, and Poet)
Cristina Reyes
1
Birthdate: August 26, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Cristina Reyes is an Ecuadorian lawyer, politician, and poet. She previously served as a member of the Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly from 2007 to 2008, and is currently serving as a member of the National Assembly. As a poet, Cristina Reyes is best known for Travesía, a collection of 62 poems.

 19 
Dolores Veintimilla
(Ecuadorian Poet Best Remembered for Her Poem, 'Quejas')
Dolores Veintimilla
1
Birthdate: 1829 AD
Birthplace: Quito, Ecuador
Died: May 23, 1857

Dolores Veintimilla was an Ecuadorian poet best remembered for her poem, Quejas. Veintimilla committed suicide at the age of 27 and some of her works were published posthumously. Although her works were never fully appreciated during her lifetime, Dolores Veintimilla achieved posthumous fame when her works reached the hands of subsequent generation of readers.

 20 
Karina Galvez
(Ecuadorian American Poet and TV Presenter)
Karina Galvez
1
Birthdate: July 7, 1964
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Karina Galvez is an Ecuadorian American poet and TV presenter. Many of her Spanish-language poems have been translated into several languages, including English, Italian, French, Portuguese, Bulgarian, Romanian, Czech, and Slovakian. Karina Galvez has also received several awards, including the prestigious Crystal Condor at the Ecuadorian Achievement Awards.

 21 
Eliécer Cárdenas
(Ecuadorian Novelist and Writer)
Eliécer Cárdenas
1
Birthdate: December 10, 1950
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cañar, Ecuador
Eliécer Cárdenas was an Ecuadorian novelist best remembered for his novel Dust and Ashes, which is the most sold novel of all time in Ecuador. He also achieved popularity after publishing the 1988 novel Morir en Vilcabamba, which earned him the prestigious Espinosa Pólit Prize.
 22 
Adalberto Ortiz
(Ecuadorian Poet, Novelist, and Diplomat)
Adalberto Ortiz
1
Birthdate: February 9, 1914
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Died: February 1, 2003

Adalberto Ortiz was an Ecuadorian poet, novelist, and diplomat. Best remembered for incorporating elements of Afro-American culture into his writing, Ortiz often narrated the struggles of the Afro-American people through his literary work. In 1995, Adalberto Ortiz was honored by the Ecuadorian government with the prestigious Eugenio Espejo National Prize for his overall achievements.

 23 
Nelson Estupiñán Bass
(Nobel Prize-Nominated Iconic Ecuadorian Poet and Author)
Nelson Estupiñán Bass
1
Birthdate: 1912 AD
Birthplace: Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Died: 2002 AD

The only Ecuadorian literary figure who was ever nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, African-origin writer Nelson Estupiñán Bass was a major figure of the Afro-Latin literary movement. He gained international fame with the novel When the Guayacans Were in Bloom. He was married to noted author and feminist Luz Argentina Chiriboga.

 24 
Demetrio Aguilera Malta
(Ecuadorian Writer, Diplomat, Painter, and Film Director)
Demetrio Aguilera Malta
1
Birthdate: May 24, 1909
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Died: December 29, 1981

Demetrio Aguilera Malta was an Ecuadorian writer, diplomat, painter, and film director. He is best remembered for his 1970 novel, Siete lunas y siete serpientes, which was translated into English by Gregory Rabassa as Seven Serpents and Seven Moons in 1979. In 1981, Demetrio Aguilera Malta was honored with the prestigious Eugenio Espejo Prize for his outstanding literary career.

 25 
Antonio Borrero
(President of Ecuador from 1875 to 1876)
Antonio Borrero
1
Birthdate: October 29, 1827
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cuenca, Ecuador
Died: October 9, 1911

Antonio Borrero was an Ecuadorian political figure, journalist, and writer. He is best remembered for his service as the President of Ecuador from 1875 to 1876. A prominent politician, Borrero also served as Ecuador's Vice President from 1863 to 1864. Antonio Borrero's administration encouraged press freedom, free suffrage, and individual rights. 

 26 
Power Paola
(Colombian-Ecuadorian Cartoonist and Author of Graphic Memoirs)
Power Paola
1
Birthdate: June 20, 1977
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Quito, Ecuador

Power Paola is a Colombian-Ecuadorian cartoonist and author of graphic memoirs. Paola's work deals with themes of feminism, sexuality, personal identity, and family. One of her best-known works, Virus Tropical, was adapted into a film in 2017. Power Paola is also known as one of the most important members of a comics collective called Chicks on Comics.

 27 
Nela Martinez
(First Congresswoman of the Ecuadorian National Assembly)
Nela Martinez
0
Birthdate: November 24, 1912
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cañar, Ecuador
Died: July 30, 2004

Nela Martinez was an Ecuadorian political militant, writer, activist, and communist. In 1944, she played an important role in overthrowing the regime of Carlos Arroyo del Río. The following year, Martinez became the first congresswoman of the Ecuadorian National Assembly. Nela Martinez is also credited with founding several publications, including Nuestra Palabra, Ecuador's first feminist newspaper.

 28 
Luis Aguilar-Monsalve
(Ecuadorian Writer, Educator, and Critic)
Luis Aguilar-Monsalve
0
Birthdate: October 7, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cuenca, Ecuador

Luis Aguilar-Monsalve is an Ecuadorian writer, educator, and critic. Over the years, he has worked as a professor at several prestigious institutions, such as Wabash College and Universidad San Francisco de Quito. He is currently associated with Hanover College, where he serves as professor emeritus. In 2012, Luis Aguilar-Monsalve was honored with the Fray Vicente Solano Award.

 29 
Marieta de Veintemilla
(Former Ecuadorian First Lady and a Feminist Author)
Marieta de Veintemilla
0
Birthdate: 1855 AD
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Died: 1907 AD

Ecuadorian feminist author Marieta de Veintemilla served as the First Lady of Ecuador during the presidency of her uncle, Ignacio de Veintemilla, who was unmarried. She introduced the norm of women going out without male guardians and wearing bright colors in Ecuador. She also controlled the army in her uncle’s absence.

 30 
Jorge Núñez Sánchez
(Ecuadorian Writer, Professor, and Historian)
Jorge Núñez Sánchez
0
Birthdate: February 6, 1947
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bolivar, Ecuador
Died: November 1, 2020

Ecuadorian author Jorge Núñez Sánchez was a Premio Eugenio Espejo-winning literary figure. He was also a professor who taught at the Central University of Ecuador and a historian who specialized in Latin American history. He had also worked as a war correspondent in Nicaragua and penned several books, such as The Endless War.