Octavio Paz

Paz was born in Mexico City. In his youth he was encouraged to write by Pablo Neruda. He fought for the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War.

He became one of the most important writers of the 20th century in Latin America, and was a diplomat until 1968 when the Tlatelolco massacre took place. He was a voice in favor of justice and freedom. His work was influenced by Surrealism.

Paz won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1990.

He died in Mexico City on April 20, 1998.