Gustavo Salazar Calle (Quito, Ecuador, October 3, 1966) is an Ecuadorian bibliographer, literary researcher, and historian. A corresponding member of the Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua since 2021, Salazar has dedicated over three decades to studying Ecuadorian and Ibero-American literature, with a focus on influential figures such as Benjamín Carrión and Rubén Darío. He has published 23 books, numerous scholarly articles, and has played a key role in the preservation of historical archives, including the Ecuadorian Consulate in Madrid and the Gaceta Judicial. His work continues to contribute significantly to the fields of literary and historical research in Latin America.
Early Life and Education
Gustavo Salazar Calle was born on October 3, 1966, in Quito, Ecuador. He pursued his higher education at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, where he studied in the Faculty of Pedagogy, specifically within the School of Linguistics and Literature between 1986 and 1988. Additionally, he has undertaken various courses in bibliology and archival studies, equipping him with the expertise required for his career as a bibliographer and literary researcher.
Literary and Academic Career
Salazar Calle has dedicated over three decades to the study of Ecuadorian and Ibero-American literature and history. He has been particularly focused on authors essential to Ecuadorian culture, including Aurelio Espinosa Pólit, Benjamín Carrión, Pablo Palacio, and César Dávila Andrade, among others. His research has also extended to influential Ibero-American figures like Rubén Darío, Gabriela Mistral, and Alfonso Reyes.
As an editor, anthologist, and compiler, Salazar Calle has made significant contributions to preserving and promoting the works of these authors. He has published 23 books across major Latin American and European cities like Quito, Mexico City, Madrid, and Caracas, including anthologies, epistolaries, and literary studies. His editorial work includes notable publications like Benjamín Carrión: Correspondencia I: Cartas a Benjamín (1995), La suave patria y otros textos de Benjamín Carrión (1998), and Gonzalo Zaldumbide: Ensayos literarios (2019).
Additionally, Salazar Calle’s contributions to the organization and preservation of key historical archives are noteworthy. Between 2002 and 2013, he organized the archives of the Ecuadorian Consulate in Madrid, and from 2013 to 2016, he directed the cataloging of 60,000 pages of Ecuador’s Gaceta Judicial, an extensive legal publication dating back to 1895.
Major Projects and Publications
Salazar Calle’s scholarly works span numerous themes, including Ecuadorian literature, the history of libraries and printing in Latin America, and biographical studies. He has published over 50 specialized articles in academic journals and participated in significant international conferences, such as the “Vasconcelos-Carrión” colloquium in Paris (2012). His works have been featured in several Ecuadorian periodicals and academic journals like Letras del Ecuador, Justicia Para Todos, and Mundo Diners.
Some of his other key publications include:
- Relatos del mundo (2014)
- Emilia Rivadeneira: Artista del grabado en el Ecuador (1839–1916) (2017)
- Poesía ecuatoriana escrita por mujeres (2021)
Salazar Calle has also contributed to the editorial series Cuadernos “A Pie de Página”, where he has edited volumes on prominent Ecuadorian authors such as Pablo Palacio and César E. Arroyo.
Professional Contributions
In his professional capacity, Salazar Calle has served in various roles related to archival work and literary research. He was a consultant for the Conservartecuador project, where he played a crucial role in the conservation and cataloging of historical libraries, including the Central University of Ecuador’s Fondo Antiguo collection. He has also been involved in the restoration and preservation of historical books in Quito’s San Agustín Convent Library, among others.
Memberships and Recognitions
In recognition of his contributions to Ecuadorian and Ibero-American literary studies, Gustavo Salazar Calle was elected a Corresponding Member of the Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua in 2021. His induction into the academy took place on September 2, 2021, with a reception by Dr. Simón Espinosa Cordero.
Legacy
Gustavo Salazar Calle has established himself as a preeminent figure in Ecuadorian bibliographic research. His work on preserving the literary and cultural heritage of Ecuador has had a profound impact on the academic community, both within his country and internationally. Through his extensive publications, editorial work, and contributions to historical projects, Salazar Calle continues to influence the fields of literary studies and archival science in Ecuador and beyond.
Selected works
- Benjamín Carrión. Correspondencia I: Cartas a Benjamín (Quito, 1995)
- Benjamín Carrión: Un Rastreo Bibliográfico (Quito, 1998)
- La Suave Patria y Otros Textos de Benjamín Carrión (Quito, 1998)
- Gonzalo Zaldumbide, Cartas 1933-1934 (Quito, 2000) – co-edited with Efraín Villacís
- La Patria en Tono Menor: Ensayos Escogidos de Benjamín Carrión (Mexico City, 2001)
- La Voz Cordial: Correspondencia entre César E. Arroyo y Benjamín Carrión (1926-1932) (Quito, 2007)
- Relatos del Mundo (Quito, 2014)
- Emilia Rivadeneira. Artista del Grabado en el Ecuador (1839-1916) (Quito, 2017)
- Gonzalo Zaldumbide: Ensayos Literarios (Quito, 2019)
- Corte Nacional de Justicia del Ecuador. Función Judicial de la República del Ecuador. Catálogo de la Gaceta Judicial 1895-2019 (Quito, 2020)
- Jorge Isaac Rovayo: Clepsidra y Otros Poemas (Quito, 2020)
- El Teatro de Sófocles en Verso Castellano – Las Siete Tragedias y los 1129 Fragmentos (Quito, 2021) – translated by Aurelio Espinosa Pólit, S.J., edited by Salazar
- Poesía Ecuatoriana Escrita por Mujeres: Antología – 2 Tomos (Quito, 2021)
- Poesía Ecuatoriana Escrita por Mujeres: Una Aproximación Histórico-Literaria (Quito, 2022)
- Historia de la Biblioteca del Instituto Nacional Mejía (Quito, 2022)
Cuadernos “A Pie de Página” Series:
- Pablo Palacio (Madrid, 2008; 2nd edition, Caracas, 2015)
- César E. Arroyo (Madrid, 2009)
- Gonzalo Zaldumbide (Madrid, 2010)
- Benjamín Carrión (Madrid, 2011; 2nd edition, Caracas, 2015)
- César Dávila Andrade (Madrid, 2012; 2nd edition, Caracas, 2015)
- Jorge Carrera Andrade (Quito, 2013)
- Gonzalo Escudero (Quito, 2014)
- Alfonso Reyes y el Ecuador (Quito, 2015)
References
- Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua. “Perfil de Don Gustavo Salazar Calle.” Accessed September 27, 2024.
- Wikipedia. “Gustavo Salazar Calle.” Accessed September 27, 2024.
- Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua. “Sr. D. Gustavo Salazar Calle.” Accessed September 27, 2024.