Famous Salvadoran Poets

Claudia Lars was a Salvadoran poet best remembered for her work Sonnets of Michael, which earned her second place in the Floral Games in Guatemala in 1941. Some of her best-known works include Estrellas en el Pozo, Romances de Norte y Sur, and Sobre el Angel y el Hombre.

Salarrue was a Salvadorian poet, writer, and painter. He is best remembered for his contribution to a newspaper called Patria, which was owned by a prominent Salvadoran intellectual named Alberto Masferrer. Apart from working as an editor for the newspaper, Salarrue also wrote a series of short stories that came to be known as Cuentos de Cipotes.

Alfredo Espino was a Salvadoran poet best remembered for his book Sad Vessels. His book, a collection of 96 poems, is counted among El Salvador's most published books of poetry. Unfortunately, Alfredo Espino did not live long enough to witness his poetry published.

Nicaraguan-Salvadoran author and poet Clara Isabel Alegría Vides, better known as Claribel Alegría, was an influential name in Central American literature. The Neustadt Prize winner was known for her masterpieces such as Flowers from the Volcano. She was highly critical of the Salvadoran military government and often wrote on socio-political issues.

Manlio Argueta is a Salvadoran poet, novelist, writer, and critic. Although Argueta's main area of interest is poetry, he is best known internationally for his popular novel One Day of Life. The novel, which portrays the brutality of the Salvadoran army, has been translated into many languages. 

Francisco Gavidia was a Salvadoran writer, speaker, historian, educator, politician, journalist, and translator. A multi-talented personality, Gavidia's work in literature, theater, music, philosophy, and politics continue to have a strong impact in El Salvador. Francisco Gavidia is also credited with mentoring the Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío.

Juan José Cañas was a Salvadoran poet best remembered for his contribution to the national hymn of El Salvador. Cañas is said to have written the national hymn along with Italian conductor and composer Juan Aberle. In 1902, President Tomás Regalado honored Juan José Cañas with a gold medal for writing the lyrics of the Salvadoran national anthem.

Alice Lardé de Venturino was a Salvadoran writer and poet. Best remembered for her lyric poems, Lardé has been recognized and honored by the government of Chile as well as El Salvador. Apart from writing poems, Alice Lardé de Venturino also published scientific works throughout her career.

Matilde Elena López was a Salvadoran poet, playwright, essayist, and literary critic. She also worked as a professor at the University of El Salvador. A revolutionary with leftist ideas, Matilde Elena López is credited with developing an extensive literary work favoring women's rights.

Pedro Geoffroy Rivas was a Salvadoran poet, linguist, and anthropologist. A rebellious and individualistic poet, Rivas made immense contributions to the poetic development in El Salvador. Chilean poet and politician Pablo Neruda was influenced heavily by Pedro Geoffroy Rivas' work.

Ricardo Cabrera Martínez was a Salvadoran poet, tenor, and diplomat. He is best known as a tenor and composer within the romance genre of Mexican and Cuban boleros. Ricardo Cabrera Martínez is credited with creating a poem titled Vereda Tropical, which was adapted by Gonzalo Curiel into a song.

William Archila is a Salvadoran Latino poet and writer. Over the course of his career, Archila has won several prestigious awards like the International Latino Book Award-Poetry, Red Hen Poetry Prize, and Emerging Writer Fellowship Award. Apart from being a writer, William Archila also teaches English in El Salvador and the USA.

Jose Antonio Pineda is a Salvadoran author, poet, and actor. He is credited with co-founding the Straight Theatre in San Francisco. As an actor, Jose Antonio Pineda has played prominent roles in movies like Clash of the Empires and The King Maker.

Lilian Serpas was a Salvadoran poet best remembered for her association with Che Guevara. Many believe that Serpas may have had a physical and intense relationship with Che Guevara. Lilian Serpas has also been featured on a postage stamp in El Salvador.

Nora Méndez is a Salvadoran poet best known for writing resistance poems in reaction to the political situation in her country. She has also written poems that discuss the status of women and domestic violence in El Salvador. A multi-talented personality, Nora Méndez also worked as a singer-songwriter during the 1980s and appeared alongside a band named Nuevamérica.

Vicente Acosta was a Salvadoran poet who published various papers and diaries. He worked with many publications and is credited with founding a prominent cultural and scientific journal called La Quincena. Vicente Acosta also contributed immensely to a newspaper named La Unión.

Alfonso Quijada Urias is a Salvadoran author and poet. Many of his works discuss the effects of war and life in Central America. Over the course of his career, Alfonso Quijada Urias has received many awards for his contributions to Salvadoran literature.

Dina Posada is a Salvadoran-Guatemalan poet. She is currently working in Guatemala where she contributes as a writer to several publications. Some of her poems have been translated into several other languages. Counted among the important poets in Central America, Dina Posada's work has also inspired several other artistic endeavors.