Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Luis Coloma (9 January 1851 – 10 June 1915) was a Spanish writer, journalist, and Jesuit. He is most known for creating the character of El Ratoncito Pérez.
Life and Career
He was born on 9 January 1851 in Seville and studied at the University of Salamanca, where he received a degree in Law. After working as a lawyer for several years, Coloma entered the priesthood and was ordained in 1879. He served as a missionary in Central and South America before returning to Spain, where he spent the rest of his career as a writer and journalist.
Coloma’s works were influenced by the realist and naturalist movements of the late 19th century, and he is known for his vivid portrayals of Andalusian life and culture. He wrote many novels and stories that were set in the region, including “La pasión de una tierra” (The Passion of a Land), “El oro de los tigres” (The Gold of Tigers), and “La ciudad de los gitanos” (The City of Gypsies). Coloma was also a prolific journalist and wrote for several newspapers and magazines during his career.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Coloma was also involved in social and political issues of the time. He was a vocal advocate for social justice and worked to improve the lives of the poor and marginalized in Spain. He died on 10 June 1915, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the most important writers of his generation.
Award and Legacy
He was a prominent Spanish writer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries; he has left a lasting legacy in the literary world. His works, which are set in the Andalusian region of Spain and depict the culture and way of life of the people there, are still widely read and appreciated today. Coloma is known for his vivid and realistic portrayals of Andalusian life, and his novels and stories are considered to be important works of Spanish literature.
On 9 January 2012, Google Doodle celebrated Luis Coloma’s 161st Birthday.