born June 14, 1895, Lima, Peru
died April 16, 1930, Lima
Peruvian political leader and essayist.
In 1919 he was sent to study in Italy, where he met leading socialists of the day, including Maxim Gorky . At first a strong supporter of APRA , he split with that movement to form the Peruvian Communist Party in 1928. While emphasizing the economic aspects of Marxism in his writings, he recognized the value of religion and myth in his treatment of the Indians and advocated a greater social and political role for them. His influence is seen in the Maoist Shining Path revolutionary movement.