de Burgos, Julia

de Burgos, Julia

(1914–53) poet, teacher; born in Carolina, Puerto Rico. One of Puerto Rico's leading 20th-century poets, influenced by Pablo Neruda, she was a prominent member of the literary Vanguard movement in San Juan in the late 1930s. Her best-known poem, "Río Grande de Loiza," was written before she moved to New York City, where she spent her last years. Over the years, she supported herself with a variety of jobs, including teaching. In addition, she was often supported by the wealthy men in her life.