| Francisco Herrera Luque | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 December 1927 Caracas, Venezuela |
| Died | 15 April 1991 (aged 63) Caracas, Venezuela |
| Occupation | psychiatrist, writer, diplomat |
| Nationality | Venezuelan |
| Period | 1961-1991 |
| Genres | Novel, history, short story, fable, essay |
| Subjects | History of Venezuela |
| Literary movement | Historical Novel |
| Notable work(s) | "Los Amos del Valle" (1979) |
Francisco José Herrera Luque (Caracas, 14 December, 1927 - Caracas, 15 April, 1991) was a Venezuelan writer, psychiatrist and diplomat. Author of well known historical novels, including: Boves, el Urogallo (1972), Los Amos del Valle (1979) and La Luna de Fausto (1983).
Son of Francisco Herrera Guerrero and María Luisa Luque Carvallo. In 1956 married with Maria Margarita Terán Austria, whose union were born five children. Herrera Luque, studied in the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) and later at the University of Salamanca (1952) where obtained his title as physician. In Madrid specializes in psychiatry, producing several scientific papers. His PhD thesis originates the book: Los Viajeros de Indias (1961), about the psychopathic loads over Venezuelan society that left Spanish conquistadors. His interest in understanding the origins of the personalities of Latin America people took him to the study of heritage and genetics.
Herrera Luque founded the department of psychiatry of the UCV, becoming full professor. Served as ambassador of Venezuela in Mexico in the mid-1970s. As writer and novelist, his historical work is based on an accurate and documented research. His late books: Los Cuatro reyes de la baraja, Bolívar en vivo, 1998 and El Vuelo del Alcatraz, were published posthumously.
During the final years of his life and after his death his works gained great popularity, making him one of the best-selling writers of Venezuela. Its success was the combination of Venezuelan typical stories with the facts of history. Looked beyond the official history of the country and created a parallel narrative to it. Francisco Herrera Luque died in Caracas from a heart attack on 15 April, 1991.
In 1992 was created the Francisco Herrera Luque Foundation. In 2010 the novel Boves, el Urogallo, was adapted into a film by director Luis Alberto Lamata, with the title of Taita Boves.