When and where was Jorge Luis Borges born?
Jorge Luis Borges was born on the 24th of August 1899 in Palermo, a poor neighborhood of Buenos Aires. His family lived in a large house filled with an English library containing over one thousand volumes.
Questions about Jorge Luis Borges
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did Jorge Luis Borges lose his sight?
Borges's vision began fading gradually when he was thirty years old and became completely blind by age fifty-eight. He never learned Braille so his mother transcribed his words for him until her death at age ninety-nine.
What political events affected Jorge Luis Borges during the mid-20th century?
During the 1940s and 1950s, Jorge Luis Borges faced severe political persecution under Juan Perón's government which led to his demotion from librarian to inspector of poultry and rabbits. He later supported Argentina's military junta in 1976 but changed his stance when they committed atrocities during the Dirty War.
Which awards did Jorge Luis Borges receive in the 1960s and 1970s?
In 1961, Jorge Luis Borges received the first International Formentor Prize which he shared with Samuel Beckett. He continued receiving honors throughout the decade including a Special Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1976 and the Miguel de Cervantes Prize in 1980.
What themes appear in Jorge Luis Borges best-known stories?
Jorge Luis Borges best-known stories explore themes like infinity mirrors labyrinths and time itself. His story The Garden of Forking Paths presents a Chinese professor who spies for Germany during World War I while trying to prove that an Asian person can obtain information authorities seek.