Biography of Rómulo Ernesto Durón
Rómulo Ernesto Durón y Gamero (born 1865, Comayagüela, Francisco Morazán, died 1942, Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. Honduras). He was a Honduran lawyer and politician, who, in addition to jurisprudence, dedicated himself to poetry, translation (languages: English-Spanish), essay writing, university professor and historical research of which several biographies stand out.
Biography
He pursued his higher education at the Central University of Honduras (now UNAH), where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law. He was quickly appointed as a Judge of First Instance in a capital court. Subsequently, he became a Magistrate in an Appellate Court, and later served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Justice of Honduras. It was in this position that he discovered his passion for education and began teaching in the Law program at the university. He was later appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNAH. In 1909, he was elevated to the position of Rector of the university, serving until 1911, and then confirmed in the role until 1915.
In 1915, he traveled to Washington D.C., United States of America, along with notable Hondurans such as Dr. Fausto Dávila, Licenciado Luis Landa Escober, Carlos Alberto Uclés, Pedro P. Amaya, and Carlos Lagos, to attend the Second Pan-American Scientific Congress.
Political Life
Rómulo E. Durón, known for his liberal inclination, is considered one of the founders of the Liberal Party of Honduras (PLH) during the early 20th century.
In 1915, he was appointed as Minister of Public Instruction, during which the current National Anthem of Honduras was approved. The lyrics were composed by Augusto C. Coello and the music was composed by German maestro Carlos Hartling. The anthem was first rehearsed and sung in 1904 at the San Francisco Barracks in Tegucigalpa. Prior to its approval, the anthem that was sung was «La Granadera,» with lyrics written by Dr. Rómulo E. Durón himself.
Revolution of 1924
In 1924, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government cabinet of President General Rafael López Gutiérrez. However, during the outbreak of the Second Civil War of Honduras, also known as the «Revolution Reivindicatoria,» President López Gutiérrez attempted to remain in power but was forced to resign. The revolution was led by Dr. and General Tiburcio Carias Andino, General Vicente Tosta Carrasco, and General Gregorio Ferrera.
From March 10th to April 30th, he was part of the Council of Ministers headed by Dr. and General Francisco Bueso Cuéllar in the administration of the country. This was followed by the management of Minister Fausto Dávila, parallel to the one declared by Dr. and General Carias Andino. The warring parties, the government and the revolution, declared peace due to the intervention of the United States Ambassador, and General Vicente Tosta Carrasco was appointed President for 1924-1925.
Journalism
- Founder of the weekly magazine «El Trabajo,» published in the city of Santa Rosa de Copán.
- Director of the «Revista de la Universidad,» editions of UNAH.
- Director of the newspaper «Paz y Unión,» featuring political opinions and liberalism.
- Director of the cultural magazine «La Revista» in Tegucigalpa.
He was also the founder of the «Teatro Cervantes» (now Teatro Nacional Manuel Bonilla) in the city of Tegucigalpa. Durón was one of the most prominent historians of Honduras, known for his biographical research on figures such as Licenciado Juan Lindo and Dr. Marco Aurelio Soto, who were early 19th-century leaders of Honduras. Additionally, his invaluable contributions can be seen in his translations from English to Spanish, including works by Moore, Edgar Allan Poe, and Lord Byron. He fully translated Lord Byron’s dramatic work «Manfredo» in 1893 and staged it in the theater. He also presented some of the «Pastorelas» by our Presbítero José Trinidad Reyes.
Published Works
- 1887. «Poetic Essays»
- 1893. «Twilight»
- 1896. «Literary Honduras, Collection of Writings in Verse and Prose,» National Printing House, Tegucigalpa, D.C., Honduras.
- 1904. «The Province of Tegucigalpa under the Government of Mallol» (Narciso Mallol), Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- 1905. «Pastorelas of Presbítero José Trinidad Reyes,» Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- 1906. «Literary Leaves,» Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- 1908. «The Clock Bell,» San José, Costa Rica.
- 1915. Biography of Presbítero Francisco Antonio Márquez, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- 1902. «Governors of Honduras,» Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- Biography of Bishop «José Nicolás Irías» by José Nicolás Irías Midence, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- Biography of Gonzalo Guardiola, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- 1932. Biography of Licenciado Juan Lindo, Tegucigalpa, Honduras (Juan Nepomuceno Fernández Lindo y Zelaya).
- Biography of General José Justo Milla Pineda, Tegucigalpa, Honduras (José Justo Milla). Published in the journal of the Society of Geography and History of Honduras (1940).
- Biography of Doctor Marco Aurelio Soto, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Published in 1965.
- Biography of Licenciado José Cecilio del Valle, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Published in 1914.
- 1917. Translations of works by Lord Byron, Moore, and Edgar Allan Poe.
- 1917. «Floriana,» Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- 1927. «Historical Sketch of Honduras,» published by the Society of Geography and History of Honduras, San Pedro Sula, Cortés, Honduras.
- 1932. «Boundaries of Nicaragua» (historical research), Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- 1938. «Nicaragua before the Judgment of the King of Spain» (historical research), Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
- «National Anthem of Central America»
- Hymn «La Granadera» (Former national anthem of the Republic of Honduras)
Awards
- 1906. Awarded for poetry in the Floral Games of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Memberships
- Member of the Bar Association of Honduras
- Member of the Society of Geography and History of Honduras
- Member of the Honduran Academy of Language
Poshumous recognition
- Rómulo Ernesto Durón Institute. (El Progreso, Yoro)
