Born in 1948 in Buenos Aires, Alberto Manguel established a career as a writer, translator, and editor that spans multiple countries and languages. Holding both Argentine and Canadian citizenship, he has maintained a prolific output of essays, novels, and anthologies while serving in prominent roles, including director of the National Library of Argentina between 2016 and 2018.
Early Influences and Career
During his teenage years in Buenos Aires, Manguel worked at the Pygmalion bookshop, where he became one of the readers for Jorge Luis Borges from 1964 to 1968. He attended the National School of Buenos Aires and later spent a brief period at the Universidad de Buenos Aires before moving to Europe in 1969. He worked as a reader for publishing houses in Paris and London, including Denoël, Gallimard, and Calder & Boyars.
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Following a stint as a reporter for La Nación in 1972, he became a foreign editor at Franco Maria Ricci in Milan in 1974. There, he collaborated with Gianni Guadalupi on The Dictionary of Imaginary Places. His career included editorial roles at Les Éditions du Pacifique in Tahiti and Paris throughout the late 1970s, as well as establishing the short-lived Ram Publishing Company in England.
Life and Scholarship in Canada
Moving to Toronto in 1982, Manguel became a Canadian citizen and contributed to numerous international publications, including The Globe and Mail and The New York Times. He later held the Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers position at the University of Calgary.
Global Recognition and Appointments
Manguel received extensive recognition for his contributions to literature, including the Prix Médicis essai in 1998 and being named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017. He served as the 2007 Massey Lecturer and held academic chairs at the Freie Universität Berlin and the Universidad de Guadalajara. In 2021, he relocated to Lisbon to direct an international center for reading studies.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Buenos Aires
- Citizenship: Canadian; Argentine
- Education: National School of Buenos Aires
- Key Role: Director of the National Library of Argentina (2016-2018)
- Languages: French, German, Spanish, English, Swedish
- Honors: Officer of the Order of Canada (2017)
- Significant Work: The Dictionary of Imaginary Places (1980)
- Current Base: Lisbon
Questions readers ask
What subjects does Alberto Manguel cover in his writing?
His work encompasses non-fiction, essay collections, film criticism, and novels, with frequent explorations of fantastic literature and the history of reading.
Did Alberto Manguel work with Jorge Luis Borges?
Yes, Manguel worked as a reader for the blind writer Jorge Luis Borges several times a week from 1964 to 1968.
Achievements
- Officer of the Order of Canada — 2017
