Francisco Ruiz-Ramon

Francisco Ruiz-Ramón 1930-2015 One of the 20th century’s best known analysts, literary critics and historiographers of Spanish literature passed away at the age of 85 in Tampa, Florida. Professor Ruiz-Ramón was best known for his seminal Historia del Teatro Español (History of Spanish Theater). He was a noted expert on the Golden Age era of Spanish theater as well as on the influential “Generation of 27” poets. Francisco was a self-made man who began his career under inauspicious circumstances. Although he grew up in a wealthy family in Valencia, Spain his father died when he was a year old and the family lost much of its assets during the Spanish Civil War. After graduating college, he was blacklisted by the Franco regime and was forced into exile, beginning his stellar career at the University of Oslo. Over his 50-year career, Francisco taught at the University of Puerto Rico, Purdue University, the University of Chicago and Vanderbilt University. During this time he published 20 books and hundreds of articles that have been translated into numerous languages and are used as key texts in universities worldwide. In addition to his works on theatre and literature he was a noted playwright whose plays were performed around the world in multiple languages. He also adapted original plays from the 17th century, wrote poems, and published award-winning short stories. A book of his children's fables, along with three unpublished manuscripts will be published posthumously. Francisco believed in living life to the fullest. He traveled extensively across the world with his wife Genevieve, his indefatigable partner in life and work, and enjoyed big family dinners with good wine and food. Francisco was born on February 17, 1930 in Jativa, Spain. He is survived by his beloved wife Genevieve, three children – Pablo, Astrid, and Frédéric – their spouses and six grandchildren, and many close friends – all of whom will miss him greatly.