Jorge Luis Borges

Born on August 24th in Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jorge Luis Borges was born to a Criollo (Spanish) descent family, with his mother Leonor Acevedo Suárez being a translator and having ancestry involved in the European settling of South America and Argentine War of Independence. He was part of an educated middle-class family but details about his father are not mentioned.

With his family, Borges moved to Switzerland, where he would spend a significant portion of his life, furthering his education and shaping his literary career.

The family moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where Jorge Luis Borges would later receive his education and develop as a writer.

Borges discovered Thomas Carlyle and his book-length review Sartor Resartus while in Geneva, marking a significant influence on his literary style and philosophical outlook.

At age 18, Borges met writer Maurice Abramowicz and began a lifelong literary friendship, becoming part of the avant-garde, anti-Modernismo Ultraist literary movement in Spain.

Borges received his baccalauréat from the Collège de Genève, marking an important milestone in his educational journey.

Borges became a vocal supporter of Hipólito Yrigoyen and the social democratic Radical Civic Union, aligning himself with Argentina's politics during this time period.

Translated works of literature from English, French, German, Old English, and Old Norse into Spanish, showcasing his linguistic skills.

Borges visited the frontier pampas as a young man, fulfilling his father's wish and gaining inspiration for his future writing.

Borges published his poems and essays in surrealist literary journals in Argentina, gaining recognition as a rising talent in the literary world.

Borges returned with his family to Buenos Aires, marking the beginning of his life in Argentina after spending time abroad.

Borges first published his poetry collection 'Fervor de Buenos Aires' and contributed articles to the review Martín Fierro, showcasing his early literary talent.

Published Fervor de Buenos Aires (poetry collection), marking a significant milestone in his literary career, showcasing his unique style and exploration of Argentine themes.

Published his first poem at the age of 10, translating Oscar Wilde's 'The Happy Prince' into Spanish in a Buenos Aires newspaper.

Borges first mentioned Fritz Mauthner in his book 'The language of the Argentines (El idioma de los argentinos)'.

Borges began exploring existential questions and fiction in mid-1930s, influenced by phenomenology of Husserl and Heidegger, marking a significant shift in his intellectual pursuits.

Borges continued to advocate for the Radical Civic Union, solidifying his connection to Argentine politics in the early 20th century.

Translated part of Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda into Spanish at the end of his life, demonstrating his dedication to literary translation.

Delivered a series of lectures on the art of translation, sharing his expertise with students and scholars alike.

Victoria Ocampo founded Sur, a literary journal that would serve as a platform for Borges's work and help him gain recognition in the literary world.

Borges secured an editorial appointment at Revista Multicolor de los Sábados, a literary supplement of Crítica newspaper, marking a significant step in his career as a writer and editor.

Argentine ultra-nationalists accused Borges of being secretly Jewish and not truly Argentinian.

Borges published 'Historia universal de la infamia', a book that combined non-fiction essays with literary forgeries, demonstrating his versatility as a writer and intellectual.

Borges began writing weekly columns for El Hogar magazine, further establishing himself as a prominent literary figure in Argentina.

The Spanish Civil War began, during which Federico García Lorca was abducted and executed, highlighting Borges' involvement in the conflict.

Borges published an essay attacking the Nazi Party's use of children's books to inflame antisemitism, demonstrating his strong stance against hate ideologies.

Borges secured his first assistant position at the Miguel Cané Municipal Library, solidifying his connection to the Buenos Aires literary community and expanding his professional network.

Borges's father died on Christmas Eve, leaving him with a severe head injury that would have long-lasting effects on his life and writing. He was only 25 years old at the time of this tragic event.

Borges reviews an anthology that rewrote German authors to fit the Nazi party line, highlighting his concerns about the manipulation of history and literature during this period.

Borges translated Franz Kafka's work into Spanish, introducing his writings to a wider audience and shaping his own literary style.

The Second World War broke out, marking a significant turning point in world history that would have far-reaching consequences for Borges and his family.

In 1940, Borges translated William Faulkner's novel 'The Wild Palms', which helped to establish a connection between contemporary Latin American literature and Faulkner's style, further expanding his literary horizons.

Taught a wide range of topics, including Buddhism and poetry, as part of his extensive lecture series.

Borges published his groundbreaking book 'El jardín de senderos que se bifurcan' (The Garden of Forking Paths) in 1941, which would go on to explore themes of authorship and historical context through the story of a Chinese professor in England.

In July 1942, Sur dedicated a large portion of its pages to 'Reparation for Borges', featuring contributions from leading writers and critics from Argentina and the Spanish-speaking world, demonstrating his growing influence on literary circles.

Borges co-authored collections of tales with Bioy Casares, exploring themes of time and infinity in their collaborative works.

Borges's poems appear in the anthology of Spanish American Poets by H.R.Hays. Borges's early work was recognized through this publication, which helped establish his reputation as a prominent figure in Latin American literature.

Borges writes an essay discussing his strong feelings against propaganda and rewriting of history, reflecting his growing unease with the rise of Nazism in Europe.

Borges signed a manifesto calling for an end to military rule and the establishment of political liberty and democratic elections, marking a shift towards democracy.

Borges publishes the short story 'Deutsches Requiem', a work born from his interactions with Nazi sympathizers in Argentina, which explores themes of loss and cultural identity.

Borges' position at the Miguel Cané Library changed to inspector of poultry and rabbits at the Buenos Aires municipal market, but he resigned due to Perón's treatment.

The Garden of Forking Paths appears in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, translated by Anthony Boucher. This translation marked the beginning of Borges's international recognition and cemented his connection to the mystery genre.

Collaborated with Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla on readings of his poems, exploring the intersection of music and literature.

Engaged in conversations with Adolfo Bioy Casares about views on race and Brazilian people, shedding light on his perspectives on social issues.

The publication of Borges's first volume of fiction, The Garden of Forking Paths, marked an important milestone in his literary career, showcasing his unique blend of philosophical and magical realism.

Borges was asked by anti-Peronist friends to run for president of SADE, a position he was reluctant to take due to depression caused by a failed romance.

Perón announced control over thermonuclear fusion, which was later found to be impossible. This false claim sparked a mix of excitement and skepticism among the Argentine public.

Borges published his essay 'The Argentine Writer and Tradition', highlighting his thoughts on Argentine literature and its relationship to tradition.

After Evita Perón's death, Borges found himself much in demand as a lecturer and one of the intellectual leaders of the Argentine opposition after the aftermath.

Borges's short story 'Emma Zunz' was adapted into a film, 'Días de odio' (Days of Hate), directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson in 1954, further cementing his connection to the world of cinema.

Borges was appointed director of the National Public Library and professor of English Literature at the University of Buenos Aires, solidifying his position as a respected figure in Argentine academia and literature.

Borges becomes director of the Argentine National Library. He took on this leadership role, overseeing the library's collections and contributing to its growth as a cultural institution in Argentina.

Borges received a visit from two policemen who ordered him to put up portraits of the ruling couple on the premises of SADE, prompting his indignation and persecution by the State.

The University of Cuyo awards Borges an honorary doctorate, and he receives the National Prize for Literature. This recognition further solidified his position as a leading figure in Argentine literature and academia.

One of Borges's stories appears in Fantastic Universe magazine. During this time, Borges's work continued to gain traction internationally, with publications in various magazines and journals.

Became María Kodama's personal assistant and confidant before their marriage in 1986. This marked a significant turning point in his life as he transitioned from being a renowned writer to having a deep emotional connection with someone who would become his partner in every sense of the word. As a result, he gained a new perspective on life and was able to approach his work with renewed passion and purpose. He became so enamored with her that he eventually proposed to her via an attorney in Paraguay, which led to their union in April 1986.

Borges began to grow more skeptical of democracy, displaying a change in his views on politics during this decade.

Borges's shift towards a more cosmopolitan style in his post-Peronist Argentina garnered both criticism from journals like Contorno and widespread approval among the youth.

Received first Prix International, shared with Samuel Beckett in Paris, France.

Published Ficciones and Labyrinths in English for the first time, marking a significant milestone in his literary career, as he began lecture tours of Europe to promote his work.

In a 1962 interview, Borges described Fritz Mauthner as possessing a fine sense of humor and great knowledge and erudition.

Borges receives a British honorary knighthood. This prestigious award marked his connection to the British literary community and further established his reputation as a writer of international significance.

The Nobel Committee considered Borges for the Nobel Prize in Literature, recognizing his contributions to fantasy and philosophical fiction.

Borges was awarded a shared Nobel Prize in Literature with Miguel Ángel Asturias, acknowledging his innovative storytelling and poetic faith.

Borges delivers the Charles Eliot Norton Lectures at Harvard University. In these lectures, Borges shared his insights on literature and philosophy with an audience of scholars and students, showcasing his intellectual range and authority.

Began a five-year collaboration with Norman Thomas di Giovanni, a renowned artist and illustrator, which led to the creation of several notable works.

In an interview with Burgin, Borges recalls creating 'Deutsches Requiem' as a response to the negative reactions he faced from Nazi sympathisers in Argentina, showcasing his ability to transform personal experiences into literary works.

The Justicialist Party placed Borges under 24-hour surveillance and ordered SADE to be permanently closed down due to his opposition activities.

Borges expressed his opinion on Peronism in Argentina, stating that 'Perón was a humbug, and he knew it, and everybody knew it.' This statement reflected Borges's critical view of Perón's regime.

The Nobel Committee narrowed its final choices to three finalists: Borges, Graham Greene, and Miguel Ángel Asturias, highlighting the esteemed recognition he received for his literary work.

Borges's professorship ends, and he no longer holds a position at the University of Buenos Aires. This marked the end of an era in Borges's academic career, as he transitioned from a life of teaching to one of writing and intellectual pursuits.

Published El informe de Brodie (Dr. Brodie's Report), a novel that showcases his unique blend of philosophy, psychology, and literary theory.

Kodama's father had Shinto beliefs while her mother held onto Catholicism. This cultural background would later influence Borges' own spiritual views and his perception of the world around him. As a result, he developed an open-minded approach to various faiths, which is reflected in his conversations with Kodama about different religions.

Borges initially expressed support for Argentina's military junta but became scandalized by their actions during the Dirty War. His initial support was short-lived, and he later became a vocal critic of the regime.

A conference at Columbia University provided an opportunity for Borges to discuss his views on a writer's duty to their time, sharing his thoughts with the academic community.

At a conference at Columbia University, Borges delivers a presentation where he shares his views on the German defeat and its impact on his perspective on history and culture, highlighting the significance of this event in shaping his worldview.

Borges resigned from his new post as inspector of poultry and rabbits at the Buenos Aires municipal market due to Perón's treatment, marking a significant turning point in his life and career.

Perón returns to power after being re-elected president, and Borges resigns as director of the National Library. This event reflects the changing political landscape in Argentina during this period, which had significant implications for Borges's personal life and writing career.

The Argentine government executed 16 anti-Peronist leaders, including Jorge Luis Borges' friend and fellow intellectual, José María Moreno.

When Perón returned from exile in 1973 and regained the Presidency, Borges was enraged. This event marked a significant turning point in their complicated relationship.

Released El libro de arena (The Book of Sand), a novel that explores the intersection of reality and fiction, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in Latin American literature.

Borges was sentenced to life imprisonment in prison for his involvement with the opposition movement against Perón's regime.

Borges expressed his opposition to Perón's return to power in an interview with National Geographic. His strong stance against Perón's regime further solidified his reputation as a critic of the military junta.

Received the Special Edgar Allan Poe Award from Mystery Writers of America for his contributions to mystery writing, recognizing his unique approach to the genre.

Received numerous honors, including the Balzan Prize, Miguel de Cervantes Prize, and Prix mondial Cino Del Duca, which acknowledged his groundbreaking work in philology, linguistics, and literary criticism.

Borges regained his earlier faith in democracy, reversing his initial skepticism and embracing democratic values once again.

Was awarded the French Legion of Honour, a prestigious award that recognized his significant contributions to literature and culture.

On October 30th, Argentine democracy successfully refuted Borges' statement about the abuse of statistics, welcoming the end of military rule and marking a significant shift towards democracy in the country.

As Borges' health began to decline, he made a conscious effort to give up drinking. This decision was motivated by a desire to feel more secure and in control of his life as the end approached. His sobriety marked an important shift in his approach to dealing with mortality.

Borges stopped publishing in the newspaper La Nación due to his protest against the military junta's regime. He also wrote a poem about the Falklands War, 'Juan López y John Ward', showcasing his artistic expression and opposition to the regime.

Borges was an observer at the trials of the military junta and expressed his opposition to the crimes committed by the regime. This event highlighted his commitment to holding those in power accountable for their actions.

The day before his death, Borges attended an ecumenical service at Geneva's Cimetière de Plainpalais, where he received a moving sermon from Pastor Edouard de Montmollin. This event was a poignant reminder of the love and forgiveness that surrounded him in his final days.

Borges died, leaving behind a legacy as a prominent critic of the Argentine military junta and Perón's regime. His death marked the end of an era in Argentine politics and literature.