Count Cortina

Other names/titles:
Gender: M
Ethnic origin: White

Biographical details

A Mexican described by Calderón de la Barca as “a gentleman and a scholar, a man of vast information, and a protector of the fine arts. His conversation is a series of electric sparks; brilliant as an ignis fatuus, and bewildering as a will-o' the-wisp. I have seldom heard such eloquence even in trifles; and he writes with as much ease as he speaks. We have seen three clever pieces of his lately, showing his versatile genius; one upon earthquakes, one upon the devil, and one upon the holy father of the church! – the first in the form of a pamphlet, addressed to a lady, giving a scientific explanation of the causes of these phenomena, interspersed with compliments to her beau yeux; the second is a burlesque poem; and the third is a grave and learned dissertation.” (Calderón de la Barca, 356-357.)

Calderón de la Barca refers to him as among “their oldest friends in Mexico”. (Calderón de la Barca, 527)

She describes his contribution to the Mexican press: “Enlightened individuals like Don Lucas Alamán and Count Cortina have published newspapers, but not for any length of time.” Describes Cortina’s Zurriago and Mono as “very witty and brilliant”. Calderón de la Barca, 223) She names him among Mexico’s “distinguished men” of literature. (Calderón de la Barca, 355) And adds, as a general comment, “nearly all these, at least those who are married, have had the good fortune to unite themselves with women who are either their equals or superiors, in not in education – in goodness, elevation of sentiment and natural talent”. (Calderón de la Barca, 360 ) It is possible that he attended Calderón de la Barca's tertulias.

She describes the Mexican monthly review, El Mosaico Megicano, as having mainly translated works, but includes “very valuable” scientific articles by J.M. Bustamente and “brilliant” articles by Count Cortina. (Calderón de la Barca, 223 -224.)

He edited the newspapers El Mono and El Zurriago, in 1840. (Calderón de la Barca, 223.)