José Vasconcelos Calderón (1882-1959)

José Vasconcelos Calderón, was born in the Mexican state of Oaxaca on February 28 in 1882. He studied law at Mexico’s National University and in 1908 joined Francisco I. Madero’s revolutionary movement, which opposed general Porfirio Díaz’s dictatorship.

After the revolution’s success Vasconcelos Calderón was named head of the National University and soon after was appointed Secretary of Education. He began reforming Mexico’s education system and also tried to promote and create respect for national culture.

Vasconcelos Calderón was a prolific writer and in between candidacy for presidential elections in 1929, he wrote historic and philosophical essays and also published several books. Exiled from Mexico for a time, he returned in 1940 to assume his position as Director of the National Library.

One of Mexico’s most important intellectuals of his time, José Vasconcelos died in Mexico City on June 30, 1959.

Some of his works include:

• Ulises Criollo
• La tormenta
• El Proconsulado
• La Flama
• Lógica Orgánica
• Todología