Martín Fierro

José Hernández (1834-1886) was an Argentine poet, journalist, and politician. Born on a farm in Buenos Aires Province, he was raised in a family of cattle ranchers. Educated from a young age, he became a newspaperman during the violent civil wars between Uruguay and Argentina through his support of the Federalist Party. He founded El Río de la Plata, a prominent newspaper advocating for local autonomy, agrarian policies, and republicanism. Towards the end of his life, he completed his extensive epic poem Martín Fierro, now considered a national treasure of Argentine arts and culture.