​René Marqués was a prominent Puerto Rican writer, playwright, and essayist, born on October 4, 1919, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He cultivated poetry, theater, novels, short stories, essays, journalistic articles, and film scripts. Marqués is often regarded as the leading short story writer of his generation, alongside José Luis González. His essay "El puertorriqueño dócil" (1960) remains a subject of debate, but it is as a dramatist that he gained the most acclaim. His works are considered classics and continue to be featured in theater festivals. In his dramas, Marqués addressed political, historical, existentialist, and social themes. He was a multifaceted theater professional—director, producer, founder of the group Teatro Nuestro, theater critic, and professor in theater workshops at the University of Puerto Rico. Marqués passed away on March 22, 1979, leaving a legacy as one of Puerto Rico's most influential literary figures.