Icaza, Jorge (1906-1978)

Ecuadorean author and novelist His play El Dictador, scripted in 1933, gained widespread criticism and evoked censorship by the government. His first novel Huasipungo (1934) was openly critical of government apathy towards the treatment of native Indian peoples.

Between 1932-37, whilst employed within the government treasury department, Icaza was active scriptwriting. It was in the area of acting and theatre that he commenced his early writing career, later diversifying into novels.

Huasipungo (1934) was a huge success and, although rejected in some quarters, it was seen as a vivid and accurate portrayal of events concerning the native Indians' struggle for land.

With the success of the first novel, Icaza went on to publish more novels, such as En las calles (1935) and El Chulla Romero y Flores (1958). During this time he had maintained an active government career, later serving as a diplomat in Russia and Eastern Europe during the period, 1973-77.

Icaza was born in Quito and educated in the Universidad Central 1924-27 and Conservatório Nacional 1928-29.