1. Overview
Francisco Esteban Acuña de Figueroa (Francisco Esteban Acuña de FigueroaFrancisco Acuña de FigueroaSpanish; September 3, 1791 - October 6, 1862) was a prominent Uruguayan poet and writer. Born and deceased in Montevideo, he is widely recognized for his significant literary contributions, most notably as the lyricist for the national anthems of both Uruguay and Paraguay. His extensive body of work, much of it published posthumously, often featured a strong satirical tone. During the tumultuous period of South American independence, Acuña de Figueroa maintained a steadfast loyalty to colonial governments, a political stance that shaped aspects of his early life and career, including a period of exile and diplomatic service for Spain. This article delves into his life, public service, major literary works, and evaluates his legacy within the historical context of his time.
2. Life
Francisco Esteban Acuña de Figueroa's life was marked by his early education in Buenos Aires, his unwavering loyalty to Spanish colonial rule during a period of revolutionary fervor, and his eventual return to a distinguished public service career in Montevideo.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Francisco Esteban Acuña de Figueroa was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, on September 3, 1791. He was the son of Jacinto Acuña de Figueroa, who held the significant position of Treasurer of the Royal Treasury in the colonial administration.
2.2. Education
Acuña de Figueroa's early education began at the Convent of San Bernardino in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his father had sent him to study. He continued his studies at the Royal College of San Carlos, also in Buenos Aires, pursuing a curriculum in Arts. He returned to Montevideo in 1810, his studies cut short by the invasion of the city.
2.3. Early Activities and Political Stance
Upon his return to Montevideo, Acuña de Figueroa engaged in early literary activities, writing poems while assisting his father in his work. Due to the absence of a printing press in Montevideo at that time, none of his works were published. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Acuña de Figueroa did not support the cause of independence. Instead, he remained explicitly loyal to the colonial governments led by Francisco Javier Elío and Gaspar de Vigodet. Following the fall of Montevideo in 1814, at the age of 25, his loyalty to the Spanish crown led to his exile. He was sent to the Portuguese Court in Rio de Janeiro, where he continued to serve Spain in various diplomatic capacities. Interestingly, his father, Jacinto Acuña de Figueroa, remained in Montevideo and was confirmed in his position by the new government, a testament to his administrative capabilities.
3. Public Service Career
Acuña de Figueroa returned to Montevideo in 1818, after the defeat of José Artigas and the city's subsequent fall under Portuguese rule. Following his return, he embarked on a distinguished career in public service, holding several important posts in the city. He succeeded his father as state treasurer, a role he held for a period. In 1840, he was appointed director of the Public Library and Museum, a position he held until 1847. Additionally, in 1846, he became a member of the committee responsible for the censorship of theatrical works, reflecting his involvement in the cultural and intellectual life of Montevideo.
4. Major Works
Francisco Acuña de Figueroa's literary output was extensive and varied, encompassing poetry, stories, and notably, the lyrics for two national anthems.
4.1. Lyricist for National Anthems
One of Acuña de Figueroa's most enduring contributions to the cultural heritage of South America was his role as the lyricist for the national anthems of two nations. He penned the words for the National Anthem of Uruguay, titled "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba" (Easterners, the Homeland or the Tomb), which dates back to 1833. He also wrote the lyrics for the National anthem of Paraguay, known as "Paraguayos, República o Muerte" (Paraguayans, Republic or Death).
4.2. Literary Works and Style
Despite the challenges of publishing in his early career, Acuña de Figueroa's poems were eventually published in book form in 1857. He meticulously compiled his own literary work in 1848, which was later published posthumously in 1890. This comprehensive collection, titled "Complete Works," spanned 12 volumes and included numerous poems and stories. A notable characteristic of his literary style, evident in many of his works, was a strong satirical tone, which he used to express his observations and critiques. In 1965, an anthology of his poems was published as part of the collection of Uruguayan classics by the Artigas Library, further solidifying his place in national literature.
4.3. Salve Multiforme
Among Acuña de Figueroa's most unique and curious poems is the Salve Multiforme (Multiform Salve). The author himself described this work as having two distinct applications or objectives. Its primary and most essential purpose was purely religious, intended as an "inexhaustible tribute of veneration and applause to the divine queen of heaven," presenting the Salve Regina prayer in "almost infinite ways." The second application was secular or political.
The structure of Salve Multiforme is highly intricate. Acuña de Figueroa divided the Salve into 44 fragments, each placed in a successive column, numbered from 1 to 44. Each fragment, within its respective column, contains 26 paraphrases or closely related words. These can be combined with any of the 27 fragments from the preceding and subsequent columns without disrupting the grammatical syntax or meaning of the Salve. This design ensures that a fragment is not repeated within a single complete Salve. By randomly selecting a fragment from the first column, then another from the second, and so on, up to column 44, a complete paraphrase of the Salve is always formed. While the resulting paraphrase might vary in elegance, it remains grammatically sound and coherent. With 27 fragments in the first column, freely combinable with the following 27, and so forth, millions upon millions of distinct Salves can be generated, each with varying degrees of difference among its fragments. The word "amen" is added from the last or supplementary column to conclude each prayer appropriately.
[http://www.escaner.cl/escaner41/acorreo.html An external resource provides further detail on Salve Multiforme] as "El Poema Laberíntico de Francisco Acuña de Figueroa" (The Labyrinthine Poem of Francisco Acuña de Figueroa).
5. Death
Francisco Esteban Acuña de Figueroa died in his birthplace, Montevideo, on October 6, 1862.
6. Legacy and Evaluation
Francisco Acuña de Figueroa's legacy is complex, marked by his significant contributions to Uruguayan and Paraguayan literature, particularly through their national anthems, alongside his controversial political stance during the independence movements. His unwavering loyalty to the Spanish colonial governments, despite the prevailing revolutionary sentiment, positions him as a figure who resisted the tide of independence. This perspective, while perhaps seen as conservative in his time, contrasts with the prevailing nationalist narratives that emerged post-independence. His literary works, especially the posthumously published "Complete Works" and the unique "Salve Multiforme," demonstrate his prolificacy and innovative approach to poetry. Despite his political alignment, his artistic output, particularly the anthems, became foundational elements of the very nations whose independence he initially opposed. His satirical style provided a critical lens on society, contributing to the intellectual discourse of his era.