The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Hartzenbusch, Juan Eugenio

HARTZENBUSCH, Juan Eugenio, a Spanish author, born in Madrid. Sept. 6, 1806. His father was a German carpenter. He was educated by the Jesuits and intended for the church, but becoming interested in literature, he translated a number of French and Italian comedies and prepared for the stage several of Calderon's plays. He also composed many short poems. In 1835 he became a stenographer on the staff of the Gaceta de Madrid. In 1836 an original drama by him, entitled Los amantes de Teruel, was played with success, and he afterward produced many others. He has also published critical editions of the works of Tirso de Molina (12 vols., Madrid, 1839-'42), of Calderon (4 vols., 1849-'51), of Alarcon (1852), and of Lope de Vega (4 vols., 1853). Among his own works are Cuentos y fábulas (2 vols., 1861), Obras de encargo (1864), and Obras escogidas (2 vols., Leipsic, 1865). In 1852 he was named president of the theatrical council, and he has been since 1862 director of the national library.